A group of treasure hunters, armed with metal detectors, made a surprising discovery next to the Belfast railway station.

The group visited the railway station this past weekend, where they unearthed an Anglo-Boer War cannon projectile.

This discovery was immediately reported to the Belfast SAPS.

The site was secured and the information relayed to Middelburg Explosives Unit.

An explosives team was dispatched and the projectile was destroyed during a controlled blast.

In a attempt to identify the projectile it was discovered that the treasure hunters stumbled onto a 6 inch rail-gun projectile, dating from the Anglo Boer War era between 1899 and 1902.

Belfast was a Boer stronghold where many historical battles were fought.