A bomb has been destroyed in the Solent after part of a Hampshire city was shut down due to an alert.

Shops were evacuated and trains and ferries cancelled after the 500lb bomb was discovered during dredging work for the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers in Hampshire.

Residents were advised to stay in their homes following the discovery of the German Second World War bomb in Portsmouth Harbour.

Several pieces of unexploded ordnance have been found since work started to deepen the harbour to enable the next generation of carriers to access the Navy base.

A Navy spokesman said: "The German SC250 bomb was found in the early hours of this morning in the excavator head of a barge dredging the harbour - part of a raft of infrastructure upgrades taking place in readiness for the arrival of the Royal Navy's new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier.

"Divers from the Royal Navy's Portsmouth-based Southern Diving Unit 2 are on the scene."

The SC250 bomb weighs 500lb and contains 290lb of high explosives.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "The unexploded ordnance found in Portsmouth Harbour this morning is now being moved to a safe place by The Royal Navy Ordnance Disposal and our police operation has been stood down.

"Public transport links will be returning to normal. However be mindful that marine travel and ferries may still be affected so check before you begin your journey.

"Portsmouth Harbour and Gunwharf Quays are now open to the public.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience while we dealt with this incident."