Brondesbury Park unexploded bomb: Pictures show scale of explosive as army works to secure the area

These pictures shows army bomb disposal experts working through the night to secure an unexploded Second World War bomb found in Brent .

The explosive was discovered on Thursday (March 2) by construction workers preparing to build an apartment block between 3 to 6 The Avenue, Brondesbury Park

A blast protection area was built around the device before work could begin to make the German Second World War bomb safe.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police have been assisting since the discovery was made just before midday yesterday.

The Second World War device, weighing 500lb (227kg) was buried deep at a building site at The Avenue (Image: Rupert Frere)

An extended 300m cordon has been put in place with at least 10 schools and nurseries closed in the surrounding area and dozens more of families evacuated.

The army was called in to deal with the situation (Image: Rupert Frere)

They worked throughout the night to make the area secure (Image: Rupert Frere)

Residents took overnight shelter at nearby St Martin's Church in Kensal Green.

Road closures remain in place while preparations are made for the safe removal of the explosive.

Suspected WW2 bomb in Brondesbury Park (Image: Rupert Frere)

Pictures reveal the scale of the explosive (Image: Rupert Frere)

The Second World War device, weighing 500lb (227kg) was buried deep at a building site at The Avenue, Brondesbury Park, in Brent, where preparations to build an apartment block were under way.

Work is likely to last until at least later on this afternoon, Brent Council has said.

The following schools will be closed all day today, the Council has confirmed:

Brondesbury College For Boys
Al-Sadiq and Al-Zahra
Christ Church CofE Primary School
Islamia Primary School
Malorees Infant School
Malorees Junior School
North West London Jewish Day School
Marylebone Boys’ School
Salusbury Primary School
Islamia Girls’ Secondary School

Multiple schools in the area have been closed (Image: Rupert Frere)

Here are a list of roads within the cordon that was extended this morning:

St. Hilda’s close
Manor House Drive south
Christchurch Avenue between St Hilda’s Close and Mowbray Road
The Avenue between Tiverton Green and Mowbray Road
Brondesbury Park between Coverdale Road and Chevening Road
Wilesden Lane between Coverdale Road and Winchester
Avenue Mowbray Road between Chevening Road and Willesden Lane
Winchester Avenue between Chevening Road and Willesden Lane Dyne Road between
Willesden Lane and Torbay Road Cavendish Road between The Avenue and Mowbray Road
Mapesbury Road between Willesden Lane and Mowbury Road

A helpline has also been set up for people who want to find out information about anyone who could be affected by the incident.

The number to call is 020 8937 5788.

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