A retired couple hoping to get away from the major security operation surrounding the Labour Party conference in Brighton found themselves at the centre of a bomb scare on the Isle of Wight.

Valerie and Anthony Bond, of Highview Road, Patcham, Brighton, were coming to the end of a week-long visit to Ventnor on Tuesday when Mrs Bond spotted something.

Mrs Bond said: "We had gone for a stroll and I looked over the railing and saw this thing that I thought would look nice in my garden - my husband thought it was an old kettle."

Before approaching the item Mrs Bond contacted the police to check it was safe.

She said: "I was really worried they would laugh and it would be something silly."

Officers arrived at the scene and used a mobile phone to take a picture of the object, which was emailed to the Coastguard.

They confirmed it was an anti-intrusion mine and the Royal Navy was informed.

Lieutenant Commander Justin Haines said: "We were dealing with a 2,000lb Second World War sea mine in the Thames when we got the call.

"I decided that by the time we arrived on the island it would be about 11pm.

"After hearing a description of the device and where it was we decided we would deal with it the following day."

Lt Cdr Haines, of the southern diving unit based at Portsmouth, led a five-man team that carried out a controlled explosion yesterday.

A 50m cordon was set up and boats moored nearby were towed to a safe area by the harbourmaster.

Lt Cdr Haines said: "This type of device is very powerful and it may have experienced a lot of vibration so it is best not to move them."

He warned anyone who discovered a suspicious object not to touch it and to contact the police or Coastguard, giving a full description of where it was seen.