Scores of customers were evacuated from a Tesco superstore as emergency alarms rang out.

Dozens of shoppers were told to down their bags and ushered out of the supermarket in Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford, at about 4.20pm today.

The fire service was called to the scene shortly before 4.30pm today, with two engines at the store in Crooksfoot, near the M20 Junction 10A.

An eyewitness said: “When I arrived a fire alarm was going off, but I couldn’t smell smoke while I was near the building – there wasn’t a fire.

“Outside, I could see about 20 people in Tesco uniforms together, about 40 shoppers were standing outside without their shopping, they were told to leave their bags inside the building while it was evacuated.

“There is a Timpson’s kiosk next to the Tesco in the complex, that had also been evacuated.

“The car park had not been closed, they were letting people in despite the evacuation – nobody seemed to know what was happening.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our Ashford Crooksfoot Extra is now open as normal following a brief closure this afternoon.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

The fire service added: “This turned out to be a false alarm.”