Bomb squad on way north to destroy detonators found in island

Four modern explosives detonators have been found in Linga, between the Mainland and Whalsay, prompting Shetland Coastguard to warn walkers not to touch suspect ordnance found on beaches.

The Army’s bomb squad will arrive in Shetland on Wednesday to destroy the Shock Tube Assemblies, which are sensitive non-electronic detonators used in a variety of military and mining tasks. The reason for their presence in Linga is unknown.

A spokeswoman for the coastguard said: “As the source of the Linga detonators isn’t known, people should be vigilant as more may have come ashore at other locations.”

The detonators have been taken to Whalsay by the individual who found them and will be in safe keeping until the Army arrives.

In a statement, the coastguard said members of the public should not touch or take home suspect ordnance found on beaches. “If you see a suspicious looking item on a beach you should call 999.”