PRANKSTERS or someone suffering from mental health problems are believed to have caused a bomb scare at a Maidstone bank.

It is understood that two suspicious envelopes were sent to Barclays Bank,in the High Street.

Writing on the envelopes alerted staff to a possible threat and they called the police.

Bomb disposal experts seized the envelopes and took them to Maidstone Police station, Palace Avenue, for testing.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Bomb disposal x-rayed it to check the contents."

He said that a feather and a teabag had been found inside the envelope.

Detectives are investigating if an offence was committed.

Barclays Bank was unavailable for comment at the weekend.