Bomb disposal experts descended on Canterbury in the early hours after a suspicious package was found.

Police were alerted to the item found in the Longmarket area at 1.50am this morning.

A Ministry of Defence bomb squad was called to the scene.

They carried out a controlled explosion at about 7am.

The alleyway between Longmarket and the Link Lane car park remained cordoned off at 9am.

A police spokesman said the item was found to be benign and posed no risk to the public.