TWO of Tatton's rangers were given a surprise gift by a park visitor - a live smoke bomb.

The Second World War relic was discovered in the grounds by a cyclist last week.

He did what he thought best - and handed it to two shocked park rangers.

They called the police who brought in bomb disposal experts to diffuse the six inch smoke mortar.

Police say the park was closed at the time and the public were in no danger.

"It only happens occasionally," said a police spokesman. "But we know what to do when it does."

It is believed the mortar bomb may have been unearthed by a burrowing rabbit.

Tatton general manager Brendan Flanagan said the smoke mortar must have been a relic of the wartime paratroop training exercises.

Mr Flanagan said the incident wasn't too dramatic - only for the two rangers.

"Certainly, they were surprised," he said.

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