It's been a dramatic day in Falmouth as an American 250lb (155kg) unexploded World War Two bomb was moved away from residential areas to deeper waters in the bay.

We're ending today's coverage, but here's a recap of what's happened...

• More than 300 homes in a 755m (2,477ft) exclusion zone were evacuated
• Some residents were alarmed, while others were more relaxed about the evacuation
• An evacuation centre was set up in All Saints Church in Killigrew Street
• People watched as the bomb disposal team moved the device into Falmouth Bay, accompanied by guard boats
• At a press conference Supt Ian Thompson said disposal would take place in 'the coming days' once a plan had been formulated
• Once the bomb had been moved deeper in the bay, residents were thanked by the response teams and told they could return home

Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for public safety, said it was the "news everyone wanted to hear" after the cordon was lifted.

"The device has been safely removed, the cordon has been lifted and residents can now return to their homes," she said.

"I want to thank the military specialists, emergency services, council teams, partner organisations and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep people safe and support those affected.

"I also want to thank residents and businesses for their patience throughout what has been a worrying and disruptive time."

Helen Munro Berry
BBC Radio Cornwall

The spirit of kindness, calmness and community spirit shone through today in Falmouth.

Being in the All Saints' Church, where those evacuated from their homes are gathering, is heart-warming.

Sunshine is streaming through the stained glass windows and everyone is enjoying the chance to be together during an unsettling experience.

Volunteers served tea and biscuits and a local singer, Will Keating, got his guitar out and entertained everyone with a sing-a-long.

Many of the elderly people, though "bewildered" and concerned about their homes, were being reassured.

In fact, they were sharing stories, delighting in the company and getting to know more people.

As 92-year-old Jean said: "After all this we had a jolly good chat."

Supt Ian Thompson, policing commander for West Cornwall, has thanked the Falmouth community for its patience during what has been a "difficult few days".

Thompson added: "Safety of residents has always been the highest priority for police, Cornwall Council, the military and other partners.

"Working with our partners, we have today managed a large-scale evacuation involving some 336 households.

"The evacuation effort involved 81 police officers and staff, as well as 113 volunteers and colleagues from partner agencies.

"Our combined efforts have been focussed on allowing everybody to get back to their daily lives as quickly as possible."

He says bomb disposal experts have shown "tremendous skills and bravery" in making the bomb safe.

"Staff from all agencies have played an important role in bringing this matter to a safe conclusion," Thompson says.

"Thank you again for your hard work, working long shifts and flexibility to bring the operation to a safe conclusion."

The plan to detonate the unexploded ordnance after it was moved from Falmouth Docks to Falmouth Bay will take some time, Supt Ian Thompson told the press.

The policing commander for west Cornwall, said: "I think the tactical plan is that there'll be disposal over the coming days, so that when they do dispose of it, it's done in as small a way as possible.

"And the steps that they're taking just take a little bit of time to organise.

"The safety of the community in Falmouth has been paramount, as has the safety of the bomb disposal team, who were putting themselves in danger."

Thompson continued: “I don't have any other information, I'm afraid, and the bomb disposal team are the experts, so we'll be relying on them to come up with a plan around how to dispose of it safely now in deeper water.

"When they've told us that information, I think we'll probably be able to share that out when the time's right, but we don't have any information as it stands right now.“

The policing commander and councillor Thalia Marrington thanked the community for taking care of each other at the evacuation centre set up at All Saints Church in Killigrew Street throughout the day.

At a press conference police have said the unexploded ordnance has been taken to deeper water in Falmouth Bay.

They said there was an exclusion zone in place while the emergency teams make a plan to remove the bomb.

During that time the ordnance will be monitored until the teams are ready to dispose of the device, they added.

Falmouth's MP says the community spirit shown in the town over the past few days has been really good.

Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, says: "Falmouth is a fantastic place for community spirit and we've seen how people have come together.

"We've had all the emergency workers, councillors and the community coming out.

"Everyone you can think of has come out to help, including people who work at the docks because obviously they can't work today, so they came and volunteered as well, which has been brilliant."

An update from Cornwall Council says: "The unexploded World War Two ordnance has been safely removed from Falmouth Docks and the evacuation cordon has now been lifted.

"Residents are free to return to their properties.

"Please continue to follow any instructions from police and other personnel as the emergency response is stood down.

"Thank you to everyone affected for your cooperation and understanding, and to all the agencies and organisations involved in the response.

"Please note that the device will be disposed of in deep water and well out at sea, so there will be nothing to see or hear from the shore."

Devon and Cornwall Police have just called a media briefing at All Saints Church in Killigrew Street at 16:30 BST.

The force said it was a chance to find out the latest about the multi-agency response to the unexploded World War Two ordnance.

The bomb has been moved to an exclusion zone in Falmouth Bay and by 16:00 BST all vessels had left the area.

The police said Cornwall councillor Thalia Marrington and Supt Ian Thompson, policing Commander for West Cornwall, would be at the briefing.

Royal Navy plans are yet to be confirmed.

There are a number of ways the American 250lb (115kg) unexploded World War Two bomb came to rest in Falmouth Docks, a professor has said.

Professor Catriona Pennell, who teaches modern history and memory studies at the University of Exeter, says the bomb is likely to have been jettisoned by a US aircraft before it landed, either because of a technical problem or an abandoned mission.

Another possibility is it rolled off a ship which was unloading at the docks, she said.

Large aircraft like the B24 Liberator were designed to seek out German submarines and U-boats in the Atlantic, she continued.

"If they were spotted, they needed to be annihilated, and that's what this bomb would have been designed to do," she concluded.

BBC reporter David Dixon says a roadblock which was on Cliff Road in Falmouth has been stood down.

People with binoculars and cameras with large zoom lenses have lined up near the cordon on Cliff Road.

BBC reporter David Dixon says: "Some are listening to VHF radios to hear messages from the coastguard who are warning all shipping to comply with the 755m rolling cordon as they tow the device out."

BBC Cornwall reporter David Dixon says there is "a flurry of activity" in Falmouth Bay.

He says the tug Morval and pilot boat Arrow have just come into view off Gyllynvase Beach with two more harbour boats in formation behind them.

Will Keating, who lives in the cordoned-off area of Falmouth, has brought his guitar along to All Saints' Church in Falmouth, which is operating as a help centre for people who have been evacuated from their homes.

He's lifting people's spirits with a few songs, including Cornish folk song Lamorna.

His rendition, which got some of his fellow residents singing along, brought a round of applause from those in the church.

The South West, and specifically the military areas of Plymouth and Falmouth, is no stranger to unexploded ordnance from World War Two.

By mid-July the Royal Navy bomb disposal team at Devonport had already responded to three call outs this year for German World War Two bombs found in Devon.

Bravo Diving Unit 1 was called out to two German bombs in Plymouth and one in Exmouth.

At the time, the squadron's commanding officer said an increase in building development work was bound to uncover more, and this could turn out to be one of the busiest years ever.

"If you look for them, you're going to find them," Lt Cdr Ben Brown added.

In February a 12lbs (5.5kg) high-explosive shell from World War Two was discovered on Portreath Beach, and a suspected explosive shell washed into Trevaunance Cove, near St Agnes, in June 2025.

The BBC has spoken to a series of experts about the wider questions surrounding unexploded ordnance.

Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, says it is still not completely certain when the bomb will be moved, but it is hoped it will be during the afternoon.

"We're not 100% sure yet exactly, if and when it will be going ahead," Kirkham says.

"But definitely this afternoon is the window for today."

Kirkham, who says she is an evacuee herself today, adds teams have come from across the region and further afield to help evacuate properties.

She says the response has been "absolutely amazing".

"Most people have been aware which is very good," Kirkham says.

"There have been some who have been a bit confused, but everyone's reacted brilliantly."

Jean Elsie said she left her home this morning after being advised to leave due to the bomb "being a big one".

The 92-year-old says she is not worried about the situation and feels quite safe.

"Went through the war so it doesn't make much difference," Elsie says.

"In south London, we copped it, so I know all about it, so I don't mind."

She adds everybody in All Saints’ Church in Killigrew Street has been lovely.

Elsie says: "I'm quite happy here, I've got a nice comfortable seat and they're bringing me coffee."

Julie Skentelbery
BBC Radio Cornwall

I would say I know Falmouth pretty well. I’ve lived there, partied there, sailed and dived the waters of the Carrick Roads for many years.

Falmouth is a place with a long and distinguished maritime and military history. This latest chapter that we're following live on the radio today on BBC Radio Cornwall is a reminder of the history we walk past and sail past every day.

I've listened to our reporters on the ground, talking to local people and local civic leaders, and there is a definite pride in the resilience of the town and the way the community is going the extra mile to help those in need of help.

BBC Radio Cornwall

Cornwall Council's health and safety lead councillor Thalia Marrington, explains how emergency response teams are working together to manage the situation.

The unexploded bomb in Falmouth Docks is to be moved, although a timescale has not yet been confirmed, officials say.

Falmouth Harbour has issued a notice to mariners advising them there will be a rolling exclusion zone as the bomb is moved.

The zone remains at 755m (2,477ft) and all water users have been asked to avoid the area and the boats involved in the operation.

Guard boats including pilot boats, tugs, patrol boats and a fire boat are in place to ensure the cordon is observed on the water and will move along with the rolling exclusion zone.

The centre of the exclusion zone will be marked with a large, unlit, yellow marker and only when this has been removed will restrictions end, Falmouth Harbour said.