Families have described being swept up in the drama of an evacuation in Great Yarmouth after the discovery of an unexploded bomb. 

Residents of the Southtown area went to St George's Theatre, which is acting as a rest centre until the Second World War explosive is blown up.

People leaving their homes also went to the Mesh – Shrublands Youth and Adult Centre on Magdalen Way, Gorleston to stay the night.

Rosey Seaman, 65, who is from Exmouth Road, spent Tuesday night at St George's Theatre with her husband and her dog.

"We knew it was going to be a long haul as they told me to take my dog," she said.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Rosey and Billy Seaman, and their dog Casper, eight; who have been evacuated to St Georges Theatre due to a Second World War bomb being found in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Denise Bradley Rosey and Billy Seaman, and their dog Casper, eight; who have been evacuated to St Georges Theatre due to a Second World War bomb being found in Great Yarmouth. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

She said everybody in the centre is "very friendly" and that food was brought from Tesco and Asda.

They slept on camping beds and were provided with sleeping bags and blankets.

Around 30 people, including families, are at the centre, she said.

"I'd much rather be here, I'm safer here. You can rebuild windows but you can't rebuild lives.

"You see people on TV being evacuated. You'd never believe it could happen to you," she added.

MORE: Live updates from Great Yarmouth ahead of bomb being blown up

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Roads have been closed in the Southtown area of Great Yarmouth after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb. Picture: Denise Bradley Roads have been closed in the Southtown area of Great Yarmouth after the discovery of an unexploded Second World War bomb. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Coulson family - father, mother and five children - were also still at the centre on Wednesday morning (February 8).

Tom Coulson, 45, said they evacuated from their house on Exmouth Road at about 6.30 the night before.

When they arrived at the rest centre, they were offered drinks.

At 8pm they received an update that they'd be staying at the centre for the night.

Mr Coulson said it took a couple of hours for the bedding to be arranged and that by 11.30pm people had settled down.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: St George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth is being used as a rest centre for evacuees after the discovery of an unexploded bomb. Picture: Denise Bradley St George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth is being used as a rest centre for evacuees after the discovery of an unexploded bomb. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Kaci, 8, said: "It's been okay. It's not the kind of thing you'd expect for when you're only very little.

"You never think it would happen to you."