An off-duty police officer came across a wartime grenade this morning.

The Ministry of Defence has now confirmed the bomb was a hand grenade from the Second World War.

They were called to a field behind Arcadia Road, Istead Rise.

Bomb disposal teams found the grenade still contained some explosive and blew it up safely in a controlled explosion.

Dean Thomas, who lives nearby, described hearing a small explosion. Police were also on the scene.

An MOD spokesman said it was not uncommon to be called to Gravesend as the area has several unexploded bombs dating back from the Second World War.

The spokesman added: "The grenade was lying close to the surface in a field and probably looked like it was just a stone. It was discovered by an off-duty police officer who alerted police and the MOD straight away.

"It might have been the case that in the war this grenade was thrown at a soldier and failed to go off."

Other neighbours also heard a small explosion and saw bomb disposal teams.

A police spokesman said they were called to the scene at 6am today but could not reveal any more details as it was an MOD operation.