Romanian firefighters were shocked after a farmer was spotted using an unexploded missile as an anvil.

The 122mm calibre missile, discovered by the man in his garden in Puieni village, Giurgiu county,a few months ago, had been used for sharpening hoes and scythes.

Explosive specialists said the missile was still active and endangered not only the farmer's family but also his neighbours.

A spokesman for the firefighters said: "We've had many problems because of these unexploded bombs which have been in the ground since the Second World War but this is really crazy.

"How can you hit a bomb with the hammer? It could have exploded any time."

The missile was destroyed in a controlled explosion by an army bomb squad.