Hundreds of shoppers were this afternoon forced to evacuate the Bluewater shopping centre.

Visitors to the retail and leisure destination near Dartford were instructed to leave the complex after a fire alarm was triggered.

One eyewitness has told KentOnline hundreds of people had to gather outside following the instruction to leave.

He said: "Bluewater has been evacuated just now after a fire alarm was activated.

"We were near Uniqlo on the upper floor when the fire alarm sounded and a tannoy told us to evacuate.

"We are currently in the Plaza car park and there are about 300 people outside."

Shoppers have since been allowed back into the centre following the alert.

Clothe store Next confirmed its sprinklers had gone off due to a fault at 12.30pm but was open again by 2pm.

The reason for the evacuation has not yet been confirmed.

Bluewater and the fire service have been contacted for more information.