A replica Second World War bomb will return to the city street where it fell, unexploded, more than 80 years ago. 

Hitler's Luftwaffe bombed England extensively in the early 1940s, targeting important Norfolk locations such as Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. 

During one such nighttime raid in 1940, an SC250 bomb was dropped by a Junkers Ju 88 bomber and hurtled toward St Stephen's Church in Theatre Street. 

A 250kg high-explosive bomb was dropped on Theatre Street but did not go offA 250kg high-explosive bomb was dropped on Theatre Street but did not go off (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Luckily, when the 250kg explosive struck the pavement along the northern churchyard wall, it did not go off. 

In the morning when the dust had cleared and the air raid sirens fell silent, a very deep hole was discovered.

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It took four days of digging to fully uncover the unexploded device, which was found embedded 30 feet deep into the subsoil.

Bomb disposal teams spent four days excavating and defusing the ordnanceBomb disposal teams spent four days excavating and defusing the ordnance (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Men from the bomb disposal squad arrived and began to dig, spending four days excavating the devastating weapon. 

Once fully uncovered, it was defused and then hauled away to be safely destroyed. 

And 84 years later, the story is being remembered by a group of local artists. 

The SC250 bomb was one of the most common dropped by the Germans during the Second World WarThe SC250 bomb was one of the most common dropped by the Germans during the Second World War (Image: Creative Commons)

As part of the Routes Networks Connections exhibition, Richard Cleland has created a lifesize replica of the bomb which is on display in St Stephen's Church. 

He said its message is to reinforce the process of reconciliation and forgiveness that is still under way after more than 80 years.

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He cited his own grandparent's experiences of living in London during the Blitz and their home being destroyed in the bombings. 

Artist Richard Cleland has created a faithful replica of the bomb which is on display in St Stephen's Church, NorwichArtist Richard Cleland has created a faithful replica of the bomb which is on display in St Stephen's Church, Norwich (Image: Helen Wells)

Exhibition attendees are encouraged to write messages of peace on the replica which will be wheeled out to Theatre Street at 3pm on September 19.

Fellow artist Helen Wells said: "We all have connections to war in different ways.

"I hope people can join us in a prayer for peace next Thursday."