MYSTERY surrounds how an old World War II mortar bomb became lodged in the roof of a Stourbridge home.

The discovery of the missile, found nestled in the roof of Jennifer Eglinton’s home in Clark Street, sparked a flurry of police activity in Stourbridge’s Old Quarter on Saturday (October 5).

The police helicopter was called out, officers swamped the area, motorists were diverted and residents in Clark Street and Cleveland Street were told to stay indoors after a roofer working on the property found what’s believed to be a two-inch British mortar just after midday.

But after a visit from the bomb squad - West Midlands Police confirmed the item found was “not a viable device”.

Thought to be a blank, it was taken away without the need for a controlled explosion.

But its discovery has left retired college lecturer Ms Eglinton “gobsmacked”.

The 64-year-old, who has lived at the property since the 1980s, said: “My roofer was up the ladder and I had gone out to see how he was geting on and he said ‘I think we’ve got a bomb’.

“I phoned the police and then all hell was let loose.

“The helicopter was out and they had to evacuate a 15-metre radius around the item.

“I had to leave my cat in the front bedroom, which I was a little worried about, and they had to call the bomb squad.

“I was gobsmacked. We can only suppose how it got there.

”It’s probably been there for over 60 years.”