FISHERMEN caught an unusual catch in their nets off The Needles this morning — a huge wartime sea mine.

The 7ft long ordnance is due to be detonated by the Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team this afternoon.

Vessels in the area have been warned to stay away.

More to follow.

Update 2.48pm: 

Warning broadcasts were issued to vessels in the area and Needles Coastguard Rescue Team went to the area for reasons of public safety.

Duty controller Piers Stanbury said: "From what we can tell from the pictures and the information from the EOD, this is most likely an old German wartime sea mine."

There is now a two nautical mile exclusion zone around the fishing vessel.

Update 7.30am: The mine has not been detonated and attempts will be made to do so today (Sunday).

Update 11.50am: The mine has now been detonated, at around 10.50am.