EVACUATED residents have now been returned to their homes after a suspected gas leak in Leysdown.

Police, fire crews and Transco were all called to Leysdown Road at about 9am this morning after the owner of Vanity Stores, Karen Couzens, smelt gas coming from a closed kebab shop next to her property.

The area was cordoned off and about 20 people were evacuated to Merlin’s entertainment complex where they stayed for about an hour before returning their homes.

The smell of gas was caused by a grill, which had been left on overnight inside the kebab shop.

Transco are currently venting the property.