Bomb disposal experts cordoned off a beach near Flatts on Sunday afternoon after a discarded military flare was discovered.

A member of the public contacted Police after coming across the item on Gibbets Island beach ? commonly known as Police Beach ? at about 4.30 p.m.

Police spokesman Robin Simmons said the Police Explosives Ordnance Disposal team was dispatched to the area after a report of a suspicious object on the sand.

"Police attended. They cordoned off the area around the object. They saw it, identified it for what it was and picked it up and moved it for disposal. It was a flare that was found, an old flare used by the US military."

Mr. Simmons said it was not uncommon for flares ? often used during military exercises ? to be found because of the military bases which used to be on the Island.

"These things from time to time get washed up on Bermuda's shores and we get called out.

"They have the potential to be dangerous. That's why we don't want to take any chances. That's why the Police go out and assist the situation."