The two Second World War shells found in what is believed to be King James I’s Old Palace hunting lodge in Royston earlier this afternoon are being detonated in open land nearby.

Royston Crow: Police cordon off end of Kneesworth Street after police were alerted to the two unexploded shells. Picture: David HattonPolice cordon off end of Kneesworth Street after police were alerted to the two unexploded shells. Picture: David Hatton (Image: David Hatton)

The shells were discovered at the Kneesworth Street site just before 1pm by workmen in the garden of the old hunting lodge.

Specialist Herts police officers are supporting the Explosives Ordnance Disposal team in transporting the devices to open ground in the north of the county.

The EOD team will then perform a controlled detonation of both devices within a cordoned off area.

Residents are advised that there will be a noise disturbance in the area.

A number of nearby homes were evacuated and a police cordon was put in place to ensure the safety of the people living nearby.

The road closures put in place on Kneesworth Street at the junctions with Melbourn Street and Mill Road have now been lifted.