Luke Pollard, the MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, has praised soldiers for their efforts in keeping people safe today.

He told Sky News the bomb had been found in a ‘densely populated area’ where there was a ‘genuine risk’ to people living there.

‘I want to say a huge thank you in particular to the folks from the Army and the Royal Navy, driving that truck with that bomb on the back through the streets of Plymouth to get to the slipway.

‘Extraordinary courage and bravery shown by those people who put their lives on the line to ensure that the rest of Plymouth was able to survive and keep going is quite exceptional.’

The leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Tudor Evans, thanked the armed forces for their bravery in carrying out the operation to remove the unexploded Second World War bomb from a garden and take it out to sea.

I think it is fair to say that the last few days will go down in history for Plymouth. This war-time bomb has really brought out the war-time spirit, people coming together to really support each other and whilst it has been really tough – we got through it!

I would like to thank the bomb experts for their bravery, putting their lives on the line to remove the WWII bomb from the garden in Keyham, carefully loading it onto a lorry, driving it slowly to the slipway so it could be loaded onto a boat, taking it out to sea so it could be safely detonated. As a naval city, this is a first-class example of why our armed forces are the best in the world.

I would also to recognise all the other organisations who have demonstrated a stellar performance of community resilience and what it truly means to be a public servant. Hundreds of Council officers joined the small army of organisations that worked hand in hand to support the people of Keyham and keep our city safe.

And finally – of course I would like to thank the people of Keyham, Ford and Devonport. It has been a rollercoaster of emotion the last few days, and I would like to praise the community for helping the emergency team in evacuating and supporting our effort to protect their home.

It is a day I will never forget. I am so proud of Plymouth.

The Second World War bomb that has caused so much chaos in Plymouth over the last couple of days might not be detonated until tomorrow morning, a police chief has said.

Superintendent Phil Williams, of Devon and Cornwall Police, told Sky News: ‘It [the bomb] got taken down to the slipway, as was the plan, at about 5pm and then the military took it out on a boat and I believe it’s just past the breakwater now.

‘Speaking to military colleagues they’ve said that the plan is that it will either be detonated this evening or tomorrow morning.’

He added that his understanding was that the device will be submerged in ‘about 14 metres’ of water ahead of the detonation.

More photos have emerged showing the bomb being towed out into sea by brave soldiers.

The bomb has been cacooned in a yellow inflatable frame, which is being pulled along the water by an rhib boat.

An Army officer has warned people hoping to see a large explosion in the water that they might be a bit disappointed.

Lt Colonel Rob Swan, the commanding officer of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment, said soldiers would be looking to detonate it at the ‘right depth’.

‘We are looking to submerge it at least 14m under the ocean and then a diver will go down to the device and place a donor charge. He will then come back to the surface, retreat to a safe location and will detonate it from a safe location.

‘Unfortunately it might not be as Hollywood as people would like to imagine. 14m depth is obviously quite deep so as you might see a jet of water on the surface, it just really depends on the weather, the waves and how sensitive the explosive is.’

Now the bomb has been taken out to sea, a number of things will happen before it is detonated:

• The device will be lowered onto the seabed beyond Plymouth Breakwater
• Once in place Royal Navy divers will attack explosives to the bomb
• They will be given the chane to reach a safe distance on the surface before it is detonated
• It is not clear how long this process will take

Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said an unexploded Second World War bomb found in Plymouth had now been taken out to sea.

Writing on X, he said: ‘The bomb has gone to sea!

‘Thank you to everyone for your patience and good spirits.’

Photos have shown the moment the unexploded bomb was lifted from a military truck onto a frame ahead of its departure from Plymouth.

Photos show what appears to be the bomb being towed through the water on an inflatable frame.

The device is being pulled along by a rhib inflatable boat beyond the Plymouth Breakwater, at which point it will be sunk underwater and detonated.

Plymouth Council has confirmed the cordon in the Keyham area of the city is being lifted following the removal of the bomb.

Our man at the scene, reporter Ben Endley, says the truck carrying the bomb began its journey through the streets of Plymouth at around 5.15pm.

The military operation has since seen the explosive device loaded onto a rhib inflatable boat at the Torpoint Ferry to be taken out to sea.

Plymouth Council has revealed a total of 10,320 people and 4,300 properties fell within the enlarged cordon today.

This was a large increase on the original cordon which affected 3,250 people and 1,219 properties.

It is expected they will be allowed to return to their homes shortly after 6pm.

Newer images have shown the truck carrying the ordnance arriving at the waterfront in Plymouth.

It will now be loaded onto a boat and carried out to sea, where it will be detonated underwater.

The first pictures have been released showing the truck believed to be carrying the WWII bomb through the streets of Plymouth.

Speaking to Ben Endley at the scene, pensioner Rodney Whitford said he understood why the authorities were taking no chances with the bomb.

The 75-year-old said: ‘I was home when I had a knock on the door and they said to evacuate.

‘I live on my own and I left my medication at home. They said it would only be a couple of hours so I took a tablet before I came out.

‘How bad can this bomb be? It will probably only pop a couple of windows, it won’t blow a building down, but I can understand why they are being careful.

‘They were desperate to get the people out. I’m just looking forward to going home.’

Plymouth City Council has confirmed the removal of the bomb is commencing.

Despite previously stating that they are hoping to get people back in their homes by 5pm, they will now keep the cordon in place until around 6.15pm.

Police have now confirmed that the WW2 bomb is being loaded onto the convoy to begin its journey.

Speaking to our reporter on the scene Ben Endley, Matthew Hobbs, 35, and Yasmin Lewis, 24, revealed they were evacuated from their home in Albert Road earlier today.

Yasmin said: ‘We had a knock from the wardens around 1pm today and were just told we had to go.’

Matthew added: ‘We’re worried about our dogs. We wish we’d brought them with us but we don’t know how long it was going to be.’

At the Plymouth Life Centre where evacuated families were given food and shelter mum-of-three Sarah from Keyham said: ‘We saw an alert on my phone and this place was the first thing we thought of.

‘They have been absolutely brilliant looking after us. We are looking forward to getting home but safety first.’

Mail Online’s reporter on the ground has confirmed the convoy is finally on the move.

It will now begin its 20 minute journey to Torpoint Ferry before its final descent out to sea.

After being discovered by Devon and Cornwall Police, both the Royal Navy’s bomb disposal unit and military personnel have been in charge of dealing with the bomb.

Plymouth Council announced it will be removed and transported by military convoy through the city for disposal at sea.

In a statement, the council said: ‘Highly trained bomb disposal experts will carefully remove the device from the property and it will be transported by road in a military convoy, west along Parkside and Royal Navy Avenue, joining at the junction on Saltash Road to continue south joining Albert Road, turning right along Park Avenue and heading down Ferry Road to the Torpoint Ferry terminal.’

According to those on the ground, the moving of the bomb is said to be happening ‘imminently’, a BBC source said.

Here are the latest pictures we have received from Plymouth.

The media section on Park Avenye waits for the convoy’s finaly voyage to Torpoint Ferry.

A police boat can also be seen patrolling the River Tamar while council volunteers help with the effort.

Footage of the Plymouth Sound, which is a deep inlet off the region’s coast, has emerged online.

No boats can be seen across the water in preparation for the detonation.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the bomb is believed to be a SC500 transverse fuzed airdrop weapon.

This is known as a ‘general demolition bomb’ that is 80 inches in length, weighing 500kg.

It is also thought to be filled with the highly explosive material trialene, which was developed in Germany and used during the Plymouth Blitz from 1940-1944 where more than 1,000 civilians were killed.

For those wondering how the bomb will be taken to the sea, this 3D map shows the journey it will take until it is detonated.

After beginning in St Michael’s Avenue, Keyham, the bomb will be transported to Torpoint Ferry for its final trip.

For those of you who are just joining us, let’s recap on what has happened so far.

• More than 3,000 Plymouth residents have evacuated their properties after police and an emergency alarm warned people to evacuate.
• Police were seen knocking on doors, but there are still some defiant residents who do not want to leave their homes.
• The WW2 bomb found in Keyham will be transported today to Torpoint Ferry Slipway via Saltash Road.
• People have been asked to leave the area and stay away from the cordon zone for the time period.
• The council originally said that it hopes people will be able to return to their homes at 5pm.
• All trains between Plymouth and Gunnislake and Liskeard – both villages in east Cornwall – have been cancelled.

Earlier we showed you some of the scenes as Plymouth residents took refuge in the pub.

The weekend is nearly here and these residents weren’t going to let an undetonated WW2 bomb kill their vibe!

As we move closer to the moment of transportation, a fire and rescue truck was spotted at the scene in Plymouth.

Reports from the area are suggesting there is an uneasy tension at the moment…

This was the creepy moment a government alarm system interrupted a police press conference.

He was updating the media on the details of the bomb transportation.

Former bomb disposal expert Andy Abbott has explained where most of the danger lies with today’s detonation.

‘It might have had a shovel whacked on the top of it, but actually moving it is the most dangerous part,’ he told Sky Sports.

To mitigate the risk while moving it, Abbott added that experts will put sand or water bags around it.

Our reporter Ben Endley who is in the evacuation zone has noticed some defiance among locals.

Describing the mood in Plymouth, Endley said: ‘Police are still going door to door to evacuate residents from inside the cordon with some refusing to leave. Officers say they are confident those closest to the route of the bomb have already left.

‘The plan is to “lift and shift” the bomb at 3pm before taking the 20minute drive to the slipway. However this could be delayed if the evacuation isn’t completed by then.

‘The bomb will be detonated outside the breakwater at 5pm.’

Media manager and Plymouth local Paul Nicholson, whose is just 200 metres from the pub, has opened up on his experience today.

Speaking to Mail Online, he said: ‘We had a couple of policemen knock on the door who said you need to to leave.

We’re a new family.  It’s our first born child and our only child. They gave us 15 minutes and my wife grabbed what she could in a in a small travel suitcase.

‘We went straight to the evacuation centre at about 8 in the morning. I think we were the first ones in there to be honest with you.

‘To be fair to the Council and the volunteers over there, they were just incredible. They made teas and coffees and sorted out breakfast out for the 2-year-old.’

‘We were certainly worried. We contaced our insurance company and they told us they wouldn’t be able to cover anything.’

It was certainly not a risk I was willing to take. It’s not something which happens every day in your life.’

Our reporter on the scene Ben Endley has gathered some more information regarding the bomb disposal.

He has said: ‘The bomb is expected to take 20 minutes to pass through Plymouth’s streets before it is taken out to sea.

‘After police evacuated 300 metres around the route of the bomb press were allowed inside.

‘The Emergency vehicles including firefighters, mountain rescue and cave rescue raced back and forward through the empty streets.’

Devon and Cornwall Police have urged the public not to contact 101 about the bomb disposal.

Social media users are urging people to spare a thought for the fish…

If you are in Plymouth, we want to hear from you!

Email milo.pope.mol@mailonline.co.uk. You can also send pictures and videos.

More snaps show the police stepping up efforts to secure the area in Plymouth.

Drivers in their cars are having their details checked as we move towards the moment of transportation.

Here are some of the latest pictures from plymouth, as bomb disposal experts have arrived.

It won’t be long now until the convoy starts to move!

All trains between Plymouth and Gunnislake and Liskeard – both villages in east Cornwall – have been cancelled as the military convoy transports the bomb.

National Rail said the convoy is transporting it between 2pm and 6pm, meaning there will be ‘major disruption’ until 8pm this evening.

You might think that having been forced out of their homes with an evacuation alert about a bomb people’s spirits could have dampened.

But it appears the people of Plymouth have sensed an opportunity… to go to the pub!

A convoy exlcusion zone is now in place and the deadline for residents to evacuate their homes has passed.

The zone will be in place until 5pm as the military are expected to begin moving the 500kg ordance to Torpoint Ferry terminal, which is a 20-minute journey.

Fresh on the scene, our reporter Ben Endley has described what is happening right now.

An emergency alarm triggered automatically on mobile phones alerted Plymouth residents and visitors to the danger.

It said: ‘Issued by Plymouth City Council. The WWII bomb found in Keyham will be transported today at 2pm to Torpoint Ferry Slipway via Saltash Road. You are asked to leave and stay away from the cordoned area for this time period.’

Streets in the normally bustling town centre are empty as businesses close up and shopkeepers evacuate.

The 500kg bomb will be driven from Keyham to the Devonport Ferry slipway to be taken out into the harbour. On the way it will pass the Royal Navy base at Devonport where Britain’s nuclear submarines are refuelled and refurbished.

Hundreds of residents were forced out of their properties on Tuesday after the German bomb was found in the back garden of a Plymouth home.

The father of the property owner and a builder exposed enough of the ordnance to realise it was a suspected bomb, and police were called to the scene just after 10.30am.

They were digging for foundations in preparation for a house extension and at first believed it was a scrap of metal or an old boiler.

The owner of the house where the bomb was discovered was told in a meeting with her two neighbours to prepare for the worst, her father has said.

A map shows the hair-raising journey a military convoy will take as it transports a fully intact Second World War bomb through the streets of Plymouth today.

In the three-hour window, highly-trained bomb disposal experts will remove the weapon and transport it by military convoy to Torpoint Ferry terminal.

The convoy will travel for around 20 minutes from the terraced home in St Michael Avenue, going west along Parkside and Royal Navy Avenue, joining at the junction on Saltash Road to head south before joining Albert Road. It will turn right along Park Avenue and heading down Ferry Road to the Torpoint Ferry terminal.

A ‘severe alert’ text message was sent today ordering thousands of Plymouth residents to leave their homes by 2pm before the start of today’s highly dangerous operation.

Hundreds of offices, shops and houses have been cleared as the unexploded bomb from a family’s garden is dropped in the sea.

Bomb disposal experts decided the bomb – discovered on Tuesday – would cause too much damage if they detonate it where it lies.

Hello and welcome to Mail Online’s live coverage as we follow the military transporting a World War Two bomb found in Plymouth to detonate it at sea.

Roughly 3,000 people have been evacuated within a 300m radius in Keyham.

The military convoy is expected to transport the bomb between 2pm and 5pm today.