EMERGENCY services rushed to New Brighton beach following reports of a possible unexploded device washed up on the shore.

Wirral's Coastguard Rescue Team and Merseyside Police officers were called to the scene at around 8am on Wednesday (May 8) after members of the public got in touch.

Despite fears that it may have been a war-time bomb, after closer inspection it was confirmed that it was a large wooden barrel.

Wirral Globe: The item on New Brighton beach that was, at first, thought to have been a possible ordnance device, but turned out to be a barrelThe item on New Brighton beach that was, at first, thought to have been a possible ordnance device, but turned out to be a barrel (Image: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team)With the tide incoming and likely to take the barrel into the river, Coastguard Control Room informed Mersey VTS, the local shipping version of air traffic control about the item, so they could inform any vessels in the area.

Wirral Globe: The item on New Brighton beach that was, at first, thought to have been a possible ordnance device, but turned out to be a barrelThe item on New Brighton beach that was, at first, thought to have been a possible ordnance device, but turned out to be a barrel (Image: Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team)A spokesperson for Wirral's Coastguard Rescue Team said: "The first informants did the correct thing and called the Coastguard, it's always best to get an item of concern checked out.

"Remember if there's an emergency at the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."