Police cordoned off a section of Gravesend promenade after an unexploded bomb was discovered by a dog walker

Officers were called to Gordon Promenade at 11.30am after the artillery shell was found.

A police spokeswoman confirmed a cordon has been put in place between the cafe and Gravesend Sailing Club while investigations with the Ministry of Defence are carried out.

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The device was found by dog walker John Lord. He had first spotted it yesterday morning and took some photographs of it.

However, enhancing them on his computer at home last night only enhanced the mud it was embedded it.

It was only when Mr Lord returned for a second look at about 11.30am today that he was sure it was an unexploded artillery shell and phoned police.

The 68-year-old, who lives in nearby Chantry Court in Gordon Place, said what he could see of the device sticking out of the mud appeared to measure about a foot in length.

"I was walking my daughter-in-law's dog this morning and thought I would have another look to see if the tide had cleaned it up at all," said Mr Lord.

Video: The scene of the bomb discovery

"I thought it looked like an unexploded artillery shell and thought I'd best call someone.

"It was almost against the wall and looked quite clean. I wonder whether it has come from the firing range in Shoeburyness."

The discovery took place while Britain's largest warship HMS Ocean passed Gravesend on the way to London for VE Day celebrations.

A Gravesham council spokeswoman said police had contacted them to say they are going to detonate the device and require a 100 metre exclusion zone.

However, there is no risk to surrounding properties and the incident remains under control.