A STREET in Maidstone town centre was sealed off by police this morning after reports that a small explosive shell had been discovered in a bag at the rear of shops (Alastair Irvine writes).

The alarm was sounded shortly before 11am in Wheeler Street after the item was found behind an RSPCA charity shop.

The package was declared safe after being examined by a Royal Logistics Corps bomb disposal team called to the scene at around 11.20am.

A Kent Police spokesman said they were alerted after reports of a shell being discovered in the bag. But an examination of the item had shown it was a practice device and not live, she added.

Three fire engines, an ambulance and around 20 police officers attended the incident.