A GP surgery was evacuated this morning after a 'suspicious' package was found in the building.

Patients and staff at Northgate Medical Practice in Canterbury were told to leave and wait outside while police investigated the bag, which was found in the upstairs waiting room.

But the package turned out to be far more innocent than first suspected.

Susan Joyner, executive assistant at the practice, says the 'suspicious bag' actually belonged to a patient who had left it there while popping next door to Sainsbury's for a coffee before his appointment.

"Following protocol the building was evacuated," she said.

"The police attended and the owner returned having left his bag in the waiting room unattended while going for a coffee in Sainsbury’s.

"The police confirmed the building was safe and all staff and patients returned to the building."

She asked that patients do not leave bags unattended at the practice.

Police spokesman Natalie Hardy said officers were called to the surgery at 9.20am after concerns were raised relating to an unattended bag in the waiting room.

"Officers attended the premises in Northgate, which had been evacuated as a precaution by members of staff," she said.

"The bag, which had been left there accidentally, was found to be safe and of no risk to the public."

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