TWEED police were on the scene investigating explosive material found at Fingal Rd yesterday evening.

Inspector Gary Cowan said an unexploded ordnance had "only just" been reported about 4pm by an unidentified person.

He said police had cordoned off an area around the material and were investigating.

My Daily News visually confirmed police had taped off an area about 500m south of the Old Boat Harbour beside Fingal Rd by 5pm, and by 8pm the tape and two officers in attendance had gone.

Insp Jim Kain said this morning the "inert training rocket" was removed by a military expert last night.

"It was removed without incident," he said.

"It was initially located in the river by a civilian diver."

A Defence Department spokesperson said the "2.75 inch free fligh practice warhead" contained no explosive.

"This type of projectile has bee used by the Autralian Defence Force but there is no way of confirming that it is an Australian projectile as many countries use the 2.75 inch rocket and the projectile has lost all markings."

Regional Explosive Ordnance Service Southern Queensland operators recovered the rocket using classified methods.

The spokesperson said it may have been collected by a member of the public then dumped in the river.

"Members of the public who find a suspicious item that may be an unexploded ordnance should not touch or disturb it.

"The local police should be contacted, who will arrange for military experts to attend and dispose of it."

Visit www.defence.gov.au/uxo/ for more information about suspicious and potentially explosive items.