About 50,000 people are being evacuated from their homes in the German city of Hannover while five suspected aerial bombs from the Second World War are made safe for removal.

City officials say two suspected bombs were found at a construction site and three more nearby.

Germany was heavily bombed by Allied planes during the war and such finds are common.

Leaflets in German, Polish, Turkish, English and Russian were delivered door-to-door to make sure everyone evacuated on Sunday.

The city's museums are open for free and the senior citizens' agency organised an afternoon Scrabble and card-playing gathering so evacuated residents would have places to go.

Authorities say they hope people will be able to return to their homes by Sunday evening.

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