STREETS in the centre of a Kent town were evacuated after a suspicious package was spotted outside a McDonalds restaurant.

Police in Gravesend were alerted shortly after 1pm on Tuesday and called in members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit who carried out a controlled explosion shortly after 3.30pm.

A Kent Police spokesman said later: "It appears that a laptop-style briefcase was left outside the restaurant.

"The safety of members of the public and emergency services is paramount at this type of incident and, as a precaution, and following routine procedure, the area was sealed off to a safe distance and the surrounding area evacuated.

"This included business premises but no residential homes. It allowed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to attend and safely inspect the package."

Anyone who has any knowledge as to how this package came to be left unattended is asked to contact police at North Kent on 01474 565091. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111, they do not have to give their name and they could be eligible for a cash reward.

FULL REPORT IN THURSDAY'S GRAVESEND MESSENGER