University Boat Race to go ahead after wartime bomb find

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 April 2017

The 163rd University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge is expected to get the green light to take place as planned, despite the discovery of a World War II bomb.

The University Boat Race is expected to go ahead as planned on Sunday afternoon despite the discovery of a World War II shell by the River Thames.

Police are working to assess the situation following the find, thought to be alongside the northern shore of the Thames near Putney Bridge.

The 163rd edition of the event is likely to get the green light to take place at its originally scheduled time, however, with the women's race getting under way at 4.35pm and the men's an hour later.

Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Tracy Stephenson said: "Our specialist experts are dealing with the suspected WWII ordnance.

"We have been working very closely with the organisers of the boat race to plan this event which is eagerly awaited by spectators and supporters alike. At this stage, the races will go ahead as planned."

Around 300,000 spectators are expected to line the banks of the Thames, as Cambridge look to match their success of 2016 by beating Oxford.