Bomb experts called after the discovery of a potential ordnance on the beach have determined the object was not what it seemed.
West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and Dorset Police were called after 10:00 GMT on Monday to reports of an unidentified item.
After finding the “heavily weathered metal object” part-submerged in the sand near Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, they contacted Royal Navy bomb disposal experts.
However, on arrival, the team from Plymouth found item was “a very old straight sided saucepan, or similar metal container”.
Lyme Regis Coastguard posted a statement explaining the report of the item initially came in from the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI).
Photos and measurements of the object were taken and passed on to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts for assessment.
A 100m (328ft) cordon was put in place while investigations were carried out.
The statement explained the navy experts “expressed interest based on the object’s appearance and measurements”.
But after digging it up for closer inspection, they were able to confirm what it actually was.
The statement added: “We would like to thank the first informant who contacted the NCI regarding the item.
“Ordnance is known to wash up on our shores, and if there is any doubt, please call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”
