UNEXPLODED bombs from the Second World War are lying hidden throughout Oxfordshire, it was revealed today.

Up to 60 unexploded shells could still be buried in fields and post-war housing sites following German wartime raids.

Now county council emergency planners are trying to track down original members of the Oxfordshire Air Raid Precaution team to find the bombs, which are powerful enough to destroy entire streets.

The horrifying discovery was made by planner John Kelly. He said today: "I do not know whether the bombs remained unexploded or whether they were dealt with. I do not want to frighten people."

The German Luftwaffe raided wartime airfields at Harwell, Campsfield, Brize Norton and Weston-on-the-Green near Bicester.

Hundreds of high explosives, parachute bombs and fire-spreading oil bombs were dropped during 1940, 1941 and 1944.

Mr Kelly, who studied a 50-year-old map showing where the Germans targeted their terror campaign, says about 60 bombs could remain unexploded.

But he is finding coded symbols on the wartime map hard to decipher and needs war veterans - most of whom will be in their 80s - to come forward and help.

If a bomb was found, an Army disposal team would have to evacuate surrounding streets, which could cause chaos.

Mr Kelly's colleague, Mike Bodsworth, added: "We have got a good idea where the bombs were dropped during the war and where aircraft crashed."

Strangely, the city of Oxford was unscathed during the Nazi bombing campaign. Historians suspect Hitler wanted to make Oxford his British headquarters and did not want it destroyed - unlike parts of London.

Do you know where wartime bombs were dropped? Call reporter Paul Harris on 01865 425432.

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