Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in Cornwall after a suspected Second World War bomb was found off the coast.

More than 300 properties in 18 postcodes were cleared as of 9am this morning after the unexploded device was found off the coast of Falmouth.

The suspected 250lb American ordnance was located in water near the docks on Monday.

Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have put a 750-metre cordon in place and urged all residents within the area to leave their homes, including some students from Falmouth University.

A military Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are assessing the device and plan to take action to make it safe from 2pm this afternoon.

Specialist teams will move the device further out to sea to a safer location in order to deal with it. 

Trains between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks have been suspended, and GWR says no trains or replacement bus services will be able to operate between the two Falmouth stations throughout today.

A spokesperson added: ‘Due to the nature of the incident, it is not possible to provide replacement road transport or use local bus routes, which will also be affected.’

Members of the public are asked to avoid the area and follow the advice of emergency services and port officials.

A cordon in Falmouth, Cornwall has been extended today and more than 300 homes evacuated following the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb

Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, the Port Authority and the Harbour Master are all involved in the emergency response

Emergency services on the scene after the unexploded US bomb was found off the coast of Falmouth

Police officers and Mountain Rescue personnel gather in Falmouth on Wednesday morning

 Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have put a 750-metre cordon in place and urged all residents within the area to leave their homes

Emergency services speak to residents in Falmouth on Wednesday as more than 300 properties were evacuated

Falmouth University student Nadia, from Somerset, leaves student accommodation near Falmouth Docks railway station with help from her mother

Members of the coastguard speak with police as they prepare to assist with evacuations on Wednesday

All homes within the blue areas have been told to evacuate as authorities prepare to recover the device

HM Coastguard is also advising boat users to stay clear until further notice.

Police, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, the Port Authority and the Harbour Master are all involved in the emergency response.

The public is urged not to approach the area or enter any restricted zones.

Cornwall Council is assisting with evacuations and is providing a safe place for anyone evacuated to go to. 

All Saints Church in Killigrew Street is being set up as a respite centre, and the local branch of Salvation Army is also opening its halls today in Brook Street.

Residents are told to take essentials only, including medication and equipment, phones and a charger and keys. They have been urged not to delay leaving to gather ‘non-essential belongings’. 

Anyone unable to leave without assistance are being told to inform emergency services, who are knocking on all doors in the affected zone today. 

Falmouth resident Alex Campbell, 32, told the BBC: ‘You hear there’s a bomb and it’s quite scary.

‘A little more transparency about the situation would be helpful in terms of navigating it and actually what to do.

‘It’s quite dystopian but hopefully nothing to be worried about.’

Superintendent Vicky Howell said: ‘We have extended the cordon around Falmouth Docks following the discovery of a suspected unexploded ordnance device.

‘Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers are on the scene and we are working closely with our partner agencies to manage the incident safely.

‘We would like to thank local residents, businesses and members of the public for their patience and cooperation while this incident is ongoing.

‘We ask people to continue avoiding the area and to follow any instructions given by emergency services personnel.’

MP for Truro and Falmouth Jayne Kirkham said: ‘The evacuation IS going ahead. If you live around Castle Drive, Pendennis, Tredynas and are in the exclusion zone, please leave as soon as you can.

‘The navy hope to be able to start making the device safe at 2pm, so we’re hoping everyone will be back home by this evening.

‘All Saints Church on Killigrew St is open for teas, coffees, food and a chat.

‘We’ll be knocking doors shortly just to check everyone has been able to get out & are ok.’

Have YOU been evacuated? Email elizabeth.haigh@dailymail.co.uk