Police say they are not linking the suspect package found at Wincheap on Thursday with a bomb scare at Kent University two days earlier.

An investigation is under way after roads in Wincheap were closed when the package was found on the Esso garage forecourt at 3.18pm.

It was declared safe by Army bomb disposal experts and roads re-opeaned at 5.15pm.

Deputy area commander Supt Chris Hogben said: "We are not linking this incident with the one at Kent University.

"Officers are continuing their investigation. We are grateful to those who alerted the garage staff and urge people to go about their daily lives but remain vigilant and always report anything suspicious."

The Templeman Library at the university was evacuated on Tuesday when a suspect package was found.

It was detonated in a controlled explosion by bomb disposal experts and turned out to be a bag of students' books.

The suspect package found on the forecourt may have fallen from a vehicle. It may also have been put there intentionally.

Under section 51 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, the maximum punishment for a bomb hoax is six months' imprisonment.

Area commander for East Kent Ch Supt John Molloy said: "If people do decide to create this sort of situation, for whatever selfish or small-minded reasons, it causes major disruption and has a significant impact on people's lives.

"We treat this very seriously and will seek to prosecute those responsible.

"Notwithstanding this, people should go about their daily lives as normal and we welcome their vigilance and that they continue to report any incidents they view as suspicious."