AN UNEXPLODED Second World War bomb has been dislodged by dredging work preparing for the next generation of Royal Navy aircraft carriers.
A cordon has been put in place in Portsmouth Harbour, which is preventing cross-Channel ferries from entering or leaving the Hampshire city's ferry port until the device can be towed out to sea to be detonated.
The discovery comes after another 1,100lb (500kg) German bomb was found at the end of September by the dredging barge, which led to the evacuation of the nearby Gunwharf Quays retail and leisure centre.
A torpedo was also found earlier in September.
A Royal Navy (RN) spokesman said: "Another German unexploded bomb has been found in Portsmouth Harbour. A 500-metre cordon is in place around the device, which is preventing cross-channel ferries from entering and leaving the ferry port.
"Victory Gate is closed to pedestrians. Naval base employees are instead having to enter through Marlborough Gate on Queen Street.
"A plan is in place to tow the bomb out of the harbour, where it will be destroyed in open waters by RN bomb disposal experts.
"The device was found by a dredging barge carrying out work in the harbour before the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth - the Navy's new 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier - into the naval base next spring."