RAIL passengers have been warned of disruption to services as an a unexploded wartime bomb has been discovered near the railway line at a scrap yard at Stoke Prior.

Police have put a 50m cordon in place around the site and the area has been evacuated while bomb disposal experts are awaited.

CrossCountry Trains said on Twitter that disruption is expected between Birmingham and Cheltenham Spa due to the discovery and Transport for West Midlands said Cross-City South services should be unaffected but some services to Hereford have been cancelled to the incident just south of Bromsgrove.

West Mercia Police said on Twitter: "We're in attendance at scrap yard on Hanbury Road in Stoke Prior, Worcestershire, following the discovery of an unexploded ordnance.

"As a precaution, a 50m cordon is in place and the area has been evacuated while we wait for experts from Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

"Disruption is expected on the rail network as the line falls within the 50m cordon."

Rail passengers are advised to check with the train operator before travelling and people are urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes and travel plans.

West Midlands Railway has reported cancellations to services between Bromsgrove and Stoke Works Junction and said services from Birmingham New Street to Hereford will divert via Kidderminster where possible.

Rail replacement transport is being arranged to operate south of Bromsgrove.