More than 400 homes have been evacuated due to an operation to clear what is suspected to be a bomb from World War II from a residential area in Co Down.
Workmen discovered what is believed to be a large unexploded German bomb when preparing the ground for a new phase of building in the Rivenwood housing development in Newtownards on Friday.
Around 450 residents were issued with leaflets from the PSNI asking them to vacate the area and homes and businesses within a half a kilometre radius are being evacuated.
Bomb disposal experts are on site and residents have been advised it could take five or more days to deal with the device.
A large police cordon has been put in place and a local leisure centre has opened to provide accommodation if any residents need it.
PSNI Superintendent Johnston McDowell said: "As part of the public safety operation, officers are engaging with those residents directly impacted and providing a visible policing presence in the area.
"A cordon remains in place, as we continue to work closely with our partner agencies and we thank them for their ongoing assistance.
"With the clearance operation likely to continue for a number of days, I understand the significant disruption this will cause to the local community. Our priority is to keep residents and the local community safe.
"We are grateful to the local community for their continued support during this policing operation. We would continue to appeal to the public to avoid the area, with further information provided in due course."
Ulster Unionist Party councillor Peter Wray said a local leisure centre would offer support to those affected.
"The Ard Blair Mayne is going to be open to residents from 9am and I know that the council and the PSNI are liaison with the residents.
"So, I think the communication has been quite good. It's a very unfortunate situation but it's something that obviously nobody's going to get hurt, but every precaution has to be given," Cllr Wray said.
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Additional reporting: Vincent Kearney
