Rome's Ciampino airport will be closed for two hours from 10.00 to 12.00 on Sunday 10 February to allow the army's bomb disposal unit to deactivate a bomb left over from world war two.

The massive bomb, which contains about 250 kg of explosives, was dropped by an aeroplane over 70 years ago.

Prior to the bomb's deactivation, the army will evacuate about 3,400 residents from the district surrounding the airport.

During the operation the nearby Paolo Sarro high school on Viale Kennedy will be available for evacuated residents who are reminded to switch off all gas appliances before leaving their homes.