A beach car park in Dorset has been closed off following the discovery of a WW1 hand grenade.

Middle Beach in Studland was shut off by police on Friday, December 31, after a "possible explosive ordnance" was found.

Bomb disposal experts later confirmed this to be a WW1 hand grenade.  

On Friday evening, police officers in Purbeck were called to the scene.

Members of the public were urged to avoid the area while the incident was dealt with.

A spokesperson for Purbeck Police said: "Purbeck North NPT are currently at Middle Beach in Studland due to a possible found explosive ordnance.

"Please avoid the area at this moment in time and we will provide an update when the incident has been dealt with."

In a post on social media at around 8pm, Purbeck Police said Middle Beach car park would be closed overnight and into Saturday morning after the device was found.

Purbeck Police said: "Middle beach car park will be closed overnight and into tomorrow morning due to the ordnance found. EOD have confirmed this to be a WW1 hand grenade."

More follows.