Shoppers have been evacuated from a shopping area after a suspicious package was found.

There is a large police presence in Prospect Place, Dartford, where the entrance to the car park has been shut off.

One witness, who was in TK Maxx at around 12.15pm, said the alarm went off and the shop was evacuated.

They have been told a 100m exclusion zone has been put in place and people are currently unable to move their vehicle from the car park.

Another witness, who was in Costa at the time and evacuated by police, said: "I was just having a drink when a man in a Hi-vis came in and and the whole place was being evacuated within three minutes.

"I looked up the road and saw police blocking the entrance of the retail park and putting blue and white tape up.

"There is a blue car in the cordon with a bag and satchel next to it officers were looking at."

Lewis Perry, who works at nearby Kwikfit, which has been cordoned off, was told by officers they won't be able to return for around four hours.

He said: "They came in at around about 11 and told us we had to get out because of a suspicious package.

"I looked out the window and could see people being escorted out of Pizza Hut.

"Police were taking their car keys from them and driving cars out of the car park themselves."

A spokesman for police confirmed the area has been cordoned off “following the discovery of a suspicious package”.

A couple and their toddler have been left unable to get to their flat inside the cordon.

The woman said: “We live just there. My daughter needs the toilet and to go to sleep.”

Easipetcare, who are based in Kent Road, said: “The practice has been evacuated due to a bomb scare in the local area.

“Please do not attempt to visit us at this time. The police are at the scene.

“We will let you know when we are operational again.”

Margaret Pigg, from Wiltshire, was in town to book her aunt’s funeral.

She said they have been stuck for two hours as they cannot get to their car.

She said: “My aunt is probably looking down and laughing at us stuck here.”

Officers remain on scene and British Army explosives experts are due to attend.

There may be some disruption to traffic, as the cordon will close Westgate Road (A226) between Priory Road and Home Gardens.

More as we get it.