THE bomb squad was called to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital after a patient arrived with an artillery shell stuck up his bottom.

The Sun newspaper has reported that army explosives experts were scrambled after doctors' concerns the anti-tank round could explode.

The patient, whose identity has not been revealed, said to the medical team at Gloucestershire Royal's A&E department that he “slipped and fell” on the 17cm by 6cm armour-piercing projectile, which was part of his collection of military items.

It has since been identified as a World War Two 57mm shell which would typically have been fired from six-pounder anti-tank guns.

Gloucestershire Police said: "Police attended Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Wednesday morning (1 December) after a report that a patient had presented with a munition in his rectum.

"The item had been removed prior to police arrival and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD) were contacted.

"They attended and confirmed it was not live and therefore not a danger to the public."

A spokesman for the MoD said: “We can confirm an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called out to Gloucestershire at the request of local police.”

The patient is understood to have been released from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.