A FORMER mayor of Faringdon has been arrested following an explosion in a Second World War bunker which injured two schoolboys.

Retired Colonel John Gillman, 62, was quizzed at his home by detectives investigating the blast, which occurred in the pillbox off London Road at 3pm on Sunday.

The two boys, named locally as Harry and Ben and aged 16 and 17, were both treated for serious burns to their arms and faces.

One was said to be undergoing a skin graft at a Bristol hospital last night, while the other was thought to have been discharged.

Gillman, who served in the Kings Royal Hussars and the Light Dragoons until he retired from the Army six years ago, was questioned on suspicion of causing an explosion with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He stepped down as the town’s mayor in May last year.

One Faringdon resident said: “One of the boys has been released from Frenchay Hospital and the other is in there having a skin graft because of the burns he suffered.

“Police were searching the ex-mayor’s house yesterday and it has been the talk of the town.”

Last night a spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed a 62-year-old man was arrested at his home in Faringdon and taken to Abingdon police station on suspicion of causing an explosion with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He was released on bail pending further inquiries.