Guests, animals and staff at a wild animal park were led to safety after a war time bomb was discovered.

The device was found on the safari experience at Port Lympne, near Hythe , today.

Police and the army's explosive ordnance disposal team were called to the site just before lunchtime.

Bosses at the park said that all staff, visitors and animals were removed from the area following the discovery.

In addition, arriving guests were also contacted.

One witness said the bomb was found close to Giraffe Lodge, a glamping accommodation at the reserve.

They said: "I am visiting Port Lympne animal park and have been stopped on our safari as they are doing ground work at their Giraffe Lodge and have discovered an unexploded World War Two bomb."

Now, a spokesman for the army has confirmed the device was a "dud", and contained no explosive content.

It has now been removed from the site.

A spokesman for Port Lympne, run by the Aspinal Foundation, said: "Kent Police and the Ministry of Defence EOD attended Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve following a report of a suspected wartime munition.

"Following checks and tests it was confirmed that the explosive had already detonated and was safely removed from the site."

A spokesman for police said earlier today: "Kent Police is attending Aldington Road, Lympne following a report of a suspected old unexploded munition.

"Officers were called to the area at 11.40am on Monday, September 14. The Ministry of Defence EOD has been made aware."

Read more: All the latest news from Hythe