By Douglas Whitbread via SWNS
Emergency services scrambled to a beach following reports that a huge ‘bomb’ had washed up – only to find it was a barrel.
The coastguard and police both descended on New Brighton Beach, near Liverpool, after the large cylindrical object was spotted on the shoreline on May 8.
But when they took a closer inspection, they discovered the suspected explosive – measuring roughly 8ft (2.5m) long – was in fact a large wooden cask.
A spokesperson from The Coastguard said: “Team called to reports of a possible ordnance washed up on New Brighton beach.
“On arrival, Merseyside Police had also just arrived at the location as they had also received calls.
“Coastguard Rescue Officers and Police carried out a closer inspection of the item and confirmed it was a large wooden barrel.”
Those who saw pictures of the vast vat on social media shared their curiosity at what was inside.
And some even speculated that it could in fact be an old-fashioned mooring boy.
One teased: “Anyone opened it yet?? Go on…you know you want to.”
Another added: “With the fastenings on it, is this possibly a very old navigation or mooring buoy?”
The coastguard said it had notified a nearby shipping control room about the barrel so they could inform vessels in the area about it.
