POLICE and explosives experts were called to a property in Horrabridge on Monday, after receiving reports that a man had been injured in an incident in his home.

Sgt Dave Anning of Tavistock Police said the man had been using his metal detector in the Magpie Bridge area the previous day and brought some pieces of metal home with him. He was investigating his finds in his workshop when one of the items exploded, injuring him in the face and arms.

The pieces of metal turned out to be world war two percussion caps, used for landmines.

Sgt Anning said: 'He was remarkably unlucky that the one he was working on was live — all the rest were inert.'

Explosive ordnance disposal personnel called to the address confirmed that the remaining finds were of no danger to the public.

The man was kept in Derriford Hospital overnight following the incident.