Over 300 pieces of ordnance – including projectiles – have been disposed of on Eskmeals beach.
The Ministry of Defence has carried out a large-scale disposal operation following the discovery of a significant cache of historic ordnance in the area.
An explosive ordnance disposal team has been working since Tuesday February 24 – over a week – to dispose of the ordnance, during which the beach has remained closed to the public.
An MOD spokesman said: “An explosive ordnance disposal team responded to Eskmeals Beach on 24 February to deal with a significant cache of historic ordnance.
“Following a large-scale disposal operation, the task was brought to a safe and successful conclusion on 2 March 2026.
“Over 300 items were identified and dealt with, including howitzer rounds, proofing rounds, and projectiles.”
A total of around 90 per cent of the recovered items were assessed as inert, but 13 controlled demolitions were carried out to safely destroy the live ordnance.
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team and colleagues from Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team maintained a safety cordon around the site throughout the disposal operation.
The Millom team said the beach, which is situated next to a military firing range, has now reopened to the public, subject to byelaws.
