Police sealed off Leatherhead station after a "large rock" was mistaken for a possible World War Two bomb this afternoon.

The station was evacuated and trains stopped calling there after workers found what was initially described as a "metal object" while excavating in a car park. 

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “Shortly before 3pm the object was declared safe by army bomb disposal experts. The object is a large rock.”

At 3pm, witness Simon Hollosi said: “They found a rock and that’s all it was. A funny-shaped rock. Everyone’s reaction was to laugh at it. It’s good it’s an incident we can all laugh at than something more serious.”

Earlier this afternoon he said: “At the moment they have cordoned off all around the main Leatherhead station so no-one can go anywhere near it.

“From what I heard from one police officer there’s a construction site nearby and they have found what is believed to be a World War Two bomb.

“The bomb squad is on its way to check out and see what it is.”

At 2.10pm community Facebook group What’s On In Leatherhead posted: "Apparently Leatherhead station has been closed due to a bomb scare, there are water works going on outside it and they found something. Police are already there."

Just before 2.40pm, a British Transport Police spokesman said: “We were called to Leatherhead station at 1.07pm on Wednesday, 13 May, after workers discovered a large metal object while carrying out excavation in a car park.

“A police cordon has been placed around the area to allow emergency services to carry out an investigation.

“BTP officers are in attendance with colleagues from Surrey Police. Army bomb disposal experts have also been alerted. The station has been evacuated and trains are currently non-stopping.”

Surrey Comet:

Photo: Simon M Hollosi

South West Trains Tweeted: "Trains are not calling at #Leatherhead station until further notice due to a problem we're currently investigating."

The station was reopened at about 3pm according to South West Trains.

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