BUSINESSES in Bewdley were evacuated earlier whilst an explosive device was fished out of the river by a bomb squad.
Shopworker Stephanie Withey of Teddy Gray's sweet shop described what happened when police evacuated residents as a safety precaution.
She said: “We were just told to shut up shop.
“It’s not your usual Friday, which are very busy for us.
“Police came and were taping everything off.
“The whole thing lasted about an hour and a half."
A 100m cordon was put up by police on Load Street, the bridge was closed and residents were urged to avoid the area.
Bomb experts later found out the device was an unexploded piece of World War II ordnance.
When she found out that the device dated back to the second world war, Stephanie added: "Oh well it’s been there a bit then."
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “The device will now be made safe and all routes through Bewdley including the bridge have reopened.”
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