MYSTERY still surrounds the contents of the suspicious package which sparked a full-scale security at Rochester Cathedral yesterday. The package, believed to be a black box, was removed from the cathedral by a remote controlled vehicle controlled by Army bomb disposal experts.

Its contents were taken for testing in laboratories, but police are still waiting for the results. A police spokesman dismissed reports that the substance was a white powder and said: "We don't believe the package contained anything harmful. But as a precaution the package has been analysed and we hope to have the results later today."

Cathedral staff, nearby residents and pupils from King School had all been evacuated from the cathedral after 9am yesterday, following a massive operation by the Army and police, fire and ambulance crews.

A police cordon remained in place around the cathedral this morning.

But a cathedral spokesman said the building should open later today after a full security check has been carried out.

IN CANTERBURY a police investigation is underway after a man of Arab appearance was seen sprinkling a white powder in one of Canterbury Cathedral's chapels. Hundreds of visitors and worshippers had to be evacuated. A mobile incident unit, several police officers, firefighters and paramedics were called. Security remained in place until tests revealed the powder was not harmful.

Against a background of growing tension following the destruction of the World Trade Center and the anthrax outbreak in America, a police spokesman said

the powder's exact nature was not being revealed as it could hamper the investigation.

"This incident has consumed a vast amount of resources," he said. "We will be investigating with a view to prosecuting."