A suspected explosive device has been discovered in the boot of a car in a quiet residential close.

The bomb - thought to date from the Second World War - was found in a car parked in St Mary’s Close, Gravesend, by a member of the public.

Police cordoned off the street just before 4pm, and bomb disposal experts were called.

The Army Bomb Disposal team has taken the device away for safe disposal.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 3.56pm after a member of the public reported the presence of what is believed to be a wartime explosive device in St Mary’s Close, Gravesend."

Neighbour Raymond Ansell, 49, said: "It's very unusual, I was on my way home when my wife phoned to say what had happened.

"There was a police car and a couple of military guys in the road but I don't there was ever a major risk.

"I was completely relaxed, everyone was laughing and joking. It was that kind of atmosphere."