Incredible footage shows the moment a bomb which was discovered by a fishing vessel was set off in the sea.

Bomb disposal teams descended on Herne Bay seafront yesterday after a fisherman caught a potential war mine.

Crews were pictured at Neptune Car Park in Central Parade before taking to the water.

Soon after, they set the bomb off in the sea, stunning onlookers.

Videos captured the moment huge waves rose metres high into the air before settling back down.

Today, a Royal Navy spokesperson confirmed a fishing vessel had dredged up a German GD Magnetic influence mine.

Their statement said: “Members of the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, from Bravo Squadron, Diving Unit 2 based in Portsmouth, were called to Herne Bay yesterday to assist Kent Police and Herne Bay Coastguard with an incident following a fishing vessel dredging up a German GD Magnetic influence mine.

“Royal Navy divers placed an explosive charge on the ordnance and safely carried out a demolition in situ.

“The Royal Navy team were stood down and have returned to base.”

German magnetic influence mines were originally designed to be dropped from aircraft.

Developed between 1928 and 1934, there were three models, known as LMA I, LMA II and LMA III, all of which were nearly identical, the differences being in methods of manufacture, small improvements to strengthen the mine case and modifications to the parachute assembly.

Many of these mines were modified to allow them to be laid by surface ships, especially S-Bootes.

The police and coastguard were also called to the seafront following the discovery of the wartime ordnance.

The coastguard has been contacted for further information.