HAMPSHIRE police ‘lost’ an unstable unexploded shell on a beach before it could be assessed by experts.

Two shells, one unstable and potentially dangerous, were found at Hurst Spit near Milford-on-Sea on Thursday night by window cleaner Cain Gibson.

After notifying police, officers cordoned off the scene while waiting for an army bomb disposal team to deal with them yesterday morning.

In a bizarre twist, the shells went missing overnight, with police turning to the public for help locating them.

Hampshire Constabulary, in a statement, said: “Unfortunately the shells have disappeared. One of the shells has been assessed as unstable and potentially dangerous, so we need to find it as soon as possible.

“Were you walking on the beach early on Friday? Did you see the shells or do you know where they have gone?”

Mr Gibson, 23, from Lymington, was walking his dog around 5pm on Thursday when he spotted the shells and called police.

He said: “It seems they looked after them for a couple of hours, then went home and the shells were left alone when someone else found them.

“The police don’t have a clue where they are. I was out walking my dog last night over by Hurst Castle at around 4pm or 5pm when I found them.

“One was about 12 inches long, the other around 8 inches and I had them in my possession for a few hours but then called the police. When I left them, I put them on an old towel.”

Police are continuing their efforts to locate the shells, one of which is dangerously unstable and could explode at any time.

Hurst Castle dates from the 16th century, but was also used during the first and second world wars.

Yesterday evening the police put out another statement: “We were contacted by the coastguard shortly before 9.30pm on Thursday, March 30, informing us that a member of the public had called to say he’d found two unexploded shells at Hurst Spit.

“We contacted the member of the public and gave him advice to leave them in situ and get out of his car. However, by the time officers arrived at the scene, the man had returned the shells to the top of the spit at Milford on Sea.”

Chief Inspector Rob Mitchell, district commander for the New Forest, said: “Photographs were taken of the items and we consulted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team for advice, as is standard practice. The EOD advised they would attend at first light.

“A decision was made to set up a cordon around the shells and officers returned to the scene in the early hours of the morning to find the shells still in situ.

“When officers attended the scene again shortly before 7.30am, the shells had gone but the police tape and the towel they had been placed on were still there.

“We continue to appeal for anyone who has information about where these shells might be, to contact us immediately quoting 44170119623. If you see the shells you should not go near them. Stand as far away as possible and call us.”