THERE was drama on Troon beach last week as a “controlled explosion” was carried out on a suspected WWII device.

A Royal Navy bomb disposal unit was called to the scene after police had received a report of ordnance

An area of the beach near the Marine Hotel was closed off as crews dealt with the device.

Bill Wright told the Advertiser how he heard a loud bang and could see smoke coming from the beach.

He said: “I got to the car park across from the golf course, it was a busy day - there was lots of cars there. “I saw the Royal Navy bomb disposal and I knew what they were as my father and brother were both in the Royal Navy.

“There was two police officers who said that the beach was closed in the direction going to towards the Marine Hotel. “About two minutes later there was a bang and then a puff of smoke, it wasn’t much of an explosion, they didn’t say what it was. “The two navy guys and another, four or five police officers started to walk away and people on the other side of the beach who must have been held there were allowed to walk over.

“It didn’t frighten me as I was aware of what was going on as my family are in the service, but for someone else it could have been quite frightening.”

The Royal Navy confirmed to the Advertiser that the device was “likely to be a WW2 device” that had been washed up. A police spokesperson said: “We received a report of ordnance at Troon Beach around 10.30am on Friday October, 18.

“The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team carried out a controlled explosion on the beach. The beach was re-opened at 2.50pm.”