Army bomb disposal experts were called to Angus yesterday following the discovery of a suspected explosive device at the site of a former filling station.
The site of the new Carnoustie Co-operative store on Barry Road became the centre of a bomb scare after construction workers operating there dug up what they feared to be an unexploded mortar.
Police attended the scene at around 2pm and cordoned off the area, with the logistics squad’s explosive ordnance disposal unit arriving at just after 5pm.
A police spokesman said: “Workers at the site came across what appeared to be a rusted mortar shell case. This was later confirmed to be an empty shell and the EOD unit left at around 5.30pm.”
The area where the bomb was found is surrounded by homes, a Premier shop and the Corner Hotel.
However, the patrons at the hotel’s bar and staff at the shop knew little of what had happened.
A staff member at the convenience store said: “I saw the police arrive and then saw the logistics unit but I didn’t know anything that was going on.
“The police were here for hours before the bomb unit showed up but they left shortly after.”
The scene of the drama is set to play host to a new Co-op store in the town and was once previously home to the former Barry Road filling station.
It is expected that around 15 new jobs will be created in the town when the mini market is opened but the project provoked a mixed reaction when work began.
Carnoustie councillor, now Angus Provost, Helen Oswald was disappointed the plans did not include a filling station.