A major police alert has led to nearly 100 homes being evacuated tonight (Tuesday) after builders discovered an unexploded World War II bomb. West Midlands Police have ordered people to leave 96 homes after the dangerous wartime ordnance was unearthed on a construction site in Coventry.

The potentially deadly weapon was found on a construction site at the Sandy Lane Business Park in the city where 250 homes are due to be built on the site of the former Daimler automotive factory.

Police said the bomb was discovered during construction work at the business park in the Radford area at 2.55pm today (Tuesday). A massive 100-metre cordon has been put in place and it is likely it could take until the morning to make the area safe.

A statement from West Midlands Police said: "For the public’s safety, a 100 metre cordon is in place which has resulted in 96 homes evacuated at this time and being supported by Coventry City Council where required.

"Work is ongoing with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts to assess the device, this is likely to continue throughout the evening and into tomorrow morning.

"We appreciate the co-operation of local residents, businesses and motorists as emergency services and EOD work through the safe disposal of the device."

Commenting on the police statement posted on social media, one person wrote: "There are multiple buried UXB's (unexploded bombs) all over Coventry, and what worries me is they're over 80 years old now."

Another added a "thank you" to the police for keeping everyone updated.

Coventry was heavily bombed by the Nazis during World War II. The so-called Coventry Blitz occurred on the night of November 14 and continued into the morning of November 15, 1940.

Hitler sent 515 bombers to attack the city on these dates in a bid to wipe out the city's wartime manufacturing base. It was said the glow from the fireball of the devastating attack could be seen from 100 miles away.