Patients, staff and visitors were evacuated from Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital today in a security alert after a suspicious package was found on the premises.

Witnesses said alarms were ringing as nurses evacuated the wards.

The hospital in Bell Road looks after patients from Medway Maritime Hospital and the community.

It also has a minor injury unit, X-ray department and outpatient clinics.

Unconfirmed reports said a package had been thrown into a waiting area.

The emergency was later found to be a false alarm and staff and patients were allowed back in at 1.30pm.

Kent Police confirmed officers attended the scene just after noon.

A spokesman said: "No unattended package was found as it had been collected by a person attending the hospital. Officers have since located the bag and the contents were found to be non-suspicious."