Work has started to clear a building site of any more buried Second World War bombs.

In April, Taylor French Developments was forced to stop building 15 homes on scrubland opposite Tesco Express in Middleton Road, Banbury, after incendiary devices were discovered.

Specialist firm BACTEC International Ltd has carried out a survey, and was at the site from yesterday to dig up the ground and sift through the soil.

Brian Ball, a partner at Tring-based Taylor French Developments, said the devices were difficult to detect as they were in glass bottles.

It is hoped the work will take about two weeks and then builders will get a clean bill of health to re-start on site.

Mr Ball said: “The survey has been instigated as a result of Second World War incendiary devices found earlier this year during excavation works.

“As a responsible developer, Taylor French Developments has commissioned the remediation works which will allow the removal of any further potential risk from Second World War devices which will ensure that the development can proceed as originally planned.”

The works commenced yesterday and are expected to take two weeks to complete.

“We are hoping to be back on site in about a month’s time,” he added.