Bus stop grenade alert
The device was found in a bus stop near the KFC drive-through in Brixham Road, not far from Tweenaway Cross.
Police were called by a member of the public and 50 customers had to be evacuated from the restaurant.
A member of the public raised the alarm at about 12.15pm after spotting the grenade.
The KFC manager, who did not want to be named, said: "I had a full restaurant, about 50 people, and the police came in to say they'd found a hand grenade and they were cordoning off the car park.
"I just told the customers an unusual package had been found and they had to leave. I was concerned for their safety.
"The road was closed and the traffic had to be detoured.
"I would say we lost about £500 to £600 in revenue because it was half term and lunchtime and we were busy.
"We had to turn everything off and food had to be thrown away. I've not had anything like this happen before."
Police described the grenade as 'a heavy metal object from the Second World War'.
It was old, pineapple shaped and rusted, they added.
Officers examined the grenade and found the firing pin had been removed, making it safe.
A police spokesman added: "The officers had to take it seriously because they didn't know if it was live or not.
"The bomb squad was notified, but they weren't required.
"The grenade was taken to Paignton police station and the road was reopened at 1.45pm."
Officers remained vigilant throughout the operation, keeping traffic moving and ensuring onlookers remained at least 100 yards from the site of the grenade.
Lewis Coleton, duty manager at Booker cash and carry, next to KFC, said: "I came back from lunch and there were police there.
"They cordoned off part of the car park and cars had to be moved, but we weren't evacuated. We were a safe enough distance away.
"They said they'd found a Second World War grenade and they'd got a specialist to check it out. It was pretty interesting for a bit."
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