LONDON (AFP) - An unexploded Second World II bomb has been found in London's River Thames near the start of Sunday's Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, police said on Saturday (April 1).

At this stage, the event is still scheduled to go ahead as planned, but race organisers said they would not make a final decision until Sunday at the earliest.

"Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 1.50pm on Saturday reporting what they thought to be World War II ordnance on the Chelsea shoreline by Putney Bridge," said a Scotland Yard spokesman.

"Officers including the Marine Policing Unit attended. The item is currently submerged."

Meanwhile, race director Michelle Dite told the BBC on Saturday: "At this stage the races will go ahead as planned. Any decisions regarding changes to the event will be made in conjunction with the police.

"No decision will be made today (Saturday)."

Thousands of people are due to line the banks of the Thames to watch the 163rd edition of the annual contest between England's two oldest universities, which involves men's and women's races.