ARMY bomb disposal experts were called to a village near York after builders uncovered an explosive device while digging up a garden.

The alarm was raised at about 3pm yesterday after the bomb was unearthed behind a house in Back Lane, Alne, North Yorkshire Police have confirmed.

The householder and his neighbours were evacuated from their premises by police and the bomb disposal team from Catterick garrison was called in.

The device was removed and found to be a high explosive device of RAF origin. It was later destroyed.

The scene was declared safe within two hours.

Sgt Dave Hasney said the device was thought to date back to the Second World War, when there were dozens of military bases in the area.

Updated: 08:39 Thursday, September 06, 2001