POLICE and firefighters were dispatched to deal with packets of Second World War bullets which washed up on the beach in Leigh and became stuck in the mud.

Members of the public who were walking along the beach on Tuesday morning raised the alarm after they spotted about eight packets of ammunition in the mud.

Officers were called to the scene along with fire crews to safely seize the packets.

Sgt Ian Hughes, from Southend’s community policing team, said that “a giant skateboard” was used by crews and PCSO Angela Westall so that they did not get stuck in the mud.

The ammunition was later taken to headquarters and safely disposed of.

Mr Hughes said: “The discovery of the ammunition was reported to us by people walking around Two Tree Island.

“There were eight packets of little bullets.

“We believe that they are potentially from the war, they are so old.

“Because of the mud, the fire brigade were called to assist and they brought a platform to support officers, who managed to pick them out of the mud.

“We don’t normally get this type of ammunition washing up on the shore - it’s normally old bombs from Shoebury because of the garrison.”

He advised people to call officers if there are any concerns about anything that is washed up on the beach.

He said: “It is always good to ring the police if anyone comes across any weapons of any sort.

“It doesn’t matter how old it is, we will come along and dispose of it.

“It could still be dangerous.”

Carole Mulroney, Southend councillor for Leigh, said the ammunition could have washed up from anywhere and it was the first time she could recall of anything like this turning up in Leigh.

She said: “Obviously this sort of thing happens from time to time, but I must say it isn’t very often that you get something that comes up down this end.

“Hopefully there isn’t any of the ammunition there anymore and the police are satisfied that they are safely disposed of.

“Who knows where it could have come from?

“It could be due to a variety of reasons.

“People just need to be sensible, not touch them and call the authorities straight away for them to deal with it. That is the only safe course of action”

Police are urging anyone who finds any old weapons or bombs washed up on the beach to not touch the items and to call 999 in an emergency.