Divers blow up war mine

Royal Navy divers were forced to detonate a First World War mine snagged by a fishing boat near the Lothians coast.

The bomb, an Arch 3 buoyant mine, became entangled in the nets of a fishing boat in the waters close to East Lothian on Sunday afternoon. After the Ministry of Defence was contacted, the boat was towed into Port Seton harbour, where it remained overnight. The ship was towed out to sea yesterday, with the mine removed from the vessel and detonated.

A coastguard spokesman said: “This morning the ship was towed out and the mine was blown up after being removed by divers from the Royal Navy.

“Barriers were set up round the vessel by the coastguard to stop members of the public from approaching.”