IT is a walk he looks forward to every day taking his dogs for their daily exercise in woodland near to his Southampton home.

But Perry Boggins' peaceful stroll yesterday ended with the creation of an exclusion zone, road closures and a controlled explosion after he discovered an unexploded Second World War bomb.

The 47-year-old had been walking his two German shepherds through Aldermoor Woods just after 2.15pm when he stumbled across the rusty 2lb explosive.

After he picked it up he got the shock of his life when he realised that he was holding an unexploded bomb and immediately threw it down.

He said: "One of my dogs started sniffing around something on the ground. I looked down and saw what looked like a tailfin sticking up.

"I kicked it, then I bent down and picked it up. I knew what it was straight away - a bomb.

"I couldn't believe it. I was so shocked I held it in my hands for a few seconds then I chucked it back on the floor, which in hindsight wasn't the best of ideas.

"My next door neighbour was also out walking his dog and he came over and also thought it had to be a bomb - it was unmistakable."

Mr Boggins, from Croydon Avenue, phoned emergency services and Hampshire police officers were on the scene within minutes.

A 50-metre cordon was set up around the bomb while officers waited for bomb disposal experts to arrive.

Aldermoor Road, Aldermoor Avenue and Lindon Road were closed at 5pm for 20 minutes as teams worked to bury the bomb in a 2ft-deep hole.

It was covered with sandbags and water, and a small charge was attached.

A loud controlled explosion was then carried out, sending dirt and rocks over 30ft in the air.

Sergeant James Smith, of the Royal Logistics Corps, confirmed that the bomb dated back to the Second World War.

He said: "It's very corroded but judging by its age it looks like it would have been from around that time.

"These discoveries are actually quite common - this is our third shout in Southampton this week.

"However, just because one bomb has been found doesn't automatically mean there are more out there."

The discovery in the woodlands - a popular area with dog walkers and children - left local residents shocked.

Steve Springett, 57, of Aldermoor Road, said: "How it has not blown up in the last 60 years is a miracle.

"The woodland is always busy with kids playing."

Fellow dogwalker Andy Silverston, 40, also of Aldermoor Road, said: "I walk my dog in there every day. It's a little bit worrying that a bomb was found in there - my dog is always sniffing around in the foliage."