Reports of an unexploded bomb washed on the banks of the River Thames turned out to be a giant Christmas bauble.

Metropolitan Police officers were called to the glittery ornament, which was seen near Wapping, east London, after it was mistaken for an explosive.

After it was inspected and officers “luckily” discovered no threat, Tower Hamlets police took to Twitter to joke about the incident, accompanied by festive emojis.

The Hackney police Twitter account replied: “That is a Wapping great bauble. Fortunately not as given, but shows as our training teaches us expect the unexpected.”

This comes less than a week after an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Kingston-Upon-Thames, south west London.

Students from Kingston University and nearby homes had to be evacuated while a specialist team disposed of the device.