London: Westfield Shopping Centre evacuated after 'unexploded WW2 bomb' found

Westfield Shopping Centre in London's Shepherd's Bush has been evacuated following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb.

Police said they moved shoppers out of the shopping centre in west London as a precaution following the discovery of the device, which is believed to have been dropped during the war.

All roads and surrounding Westfield have been cordoned off and Transport for London said Wood Lane and White City have been shut while officers deal with the incident.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 10:41am to a building site in Ariel Way, White City, W12, to reports of an unexploded ordnance.

"Officers attended the scene and found what is believed to be a WW2 shell approximately 13.5 inches in length and around six inches wide.

"A cordon and a wider exclusion zone of 400 meters have been implemented as a precaution, whilst we deal with the incident. We await the arrival of specialist officers who will assess ordnance.

"A number premises close to the building site have been evacuated as a precaution and we continue to asses whether there is need to extend the current cordon which is in place.

"We are working with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service."

The shopping centre was re-opened to the public after around one hour after police gave the all clear, with congestion expected while area returns to normal.