BOMB disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion at Studland Beach following the discovery of a device.

Members of the Wessex Dog Training Club found a green canister just before 10am on Sunday and called 999.

Representatives from Dorset Police, the Coastguard Agency, the National Trust and the Ministry of Defence were all called to the scene.

A walker, who does not want to be named, said: "We found a cylindrical canister which is about two-and-a-half feet long and has writing on it.

"It appears to be in French and we made out the words 'danger' and 'do not touch'."

A National Trust spokesman told the Daily Echo:"A plane flare washed up on the naturist section of Studland, the Coastguard were called and a large section of the beach was cordoned off.

"The Royal Navy bomb disposal unit then arrived and carried out a controlled explosion of the device, which has now been cleared and the beach is back to being fully open."