Breaking News Tower Bridge shut after 'unexploded bomb' found on building site

Bomb: Police at the scene where the unexploded bomb was found in Bermondsey (Picture: Matthew Barksby/Twitter)

Tower Bridge was shut earlier and 1,200 homes were evacuated after an unexploded Second World War bomb was found on a building site in south London.

London Fire Brigade and Met officers were still at the scene on The Grange, of Grange Road, Bermondsey, six hours after being called shortly before 10am.

Tower Bridge was closed between the A1203 and A200 - either side of the Thames - while bus routes 1, 42, 78, 188, C10 and RV1 were put on diversion.

Earlier it was not known how much longer the operation would take, and Southwark Council advised people to avoid the area when travelling home. Police did not expect roads to reopen before rush hour.

Grange Road shut at its junction with Tower Bridge Road following the discovery of the bomb at about 9.40am, while bus routes 1, 42, 78, 188, C10 and RV1 were also diverted.

An officer at the scene is reported to have said the situation is unlikely to be resolved today.

People who live within 200m of the site - about 1,200 households according to Southwark Council - are being directed to "rest centres" in Canada Water Library and Seven Islands leisure centre.

The bomb is about 1,000lb and 5ft long, according to police.

Two schools - Kintore Way and Harris Academy Bermondsey - have also been evacuated.

This is the UXB (Unexploded Bomb) site in Grange Walk, Bermondsey pic.twitter.com/HtVVqunzVy
— Lucas Green (@LordLucas) March 23, 2015

As if an unexploded WW2 bomb has been found on Tower Bridge Road [right] next to my work!!!" tweeted @mazzamoo1.

Police: An officer behind a cordon at the scene, near Tower Bridge, of an unexploded bomb discovery ‏(Picture: Matthew Barksby/Twitter)

And @jazzminella added: "Not going home anytime soon!"

Southwark council leader Peter John said: “I can understand how worrying this is for local people, and the council is doing all we can to support them while the emergency services make the area safe.

"We have well-rehearsed emergency plans in place and our first priority is to make sure residents are safe and cared for. We would urge all evacuated residents to go along to one of our rest centres in Canada Water where we will be providing hot meals and tea and coffee to all affected.”