BOMB disposal experts have been called and an area off Bradford's Canal Road cordoned off after an old military shell was unearthed in a garden.

Inspector Darren Wainwright, of West Yorkshire Police, said a grounds worker for a private company based in Hillam Road, Bradford, had found the old shell earlier today.

"He had taken it back to the office and it was then decided to contact the police. We received the call at about 4.15pm and cordoned off the area for the public's safety. It appears to be a small, live, rusty old shell.

"As yet I don't know which garden it was found in but the incident is certainly not terror-related," he said.

Initially trains along the line were suspended but were given the all clear to continue service after the fire authority arrived and made checks of the area.

"It was deemed there was no threat to the rail line and they were told they could reopen. In the meantime, West Yorkshire Police contacted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, at Catterick, to come and collect it," Insp Wainwright added.

He said he was unsure whether a controlled explosion would be carried out at the site.

"We have just had to make sure that the area was safe," he said.