Staff at Canterbury's Combined Court were evacuated for an hour today after a strong smell of burning permeated the concourse.

Two fire engines arrived as hundreds of staff, lawyers and visitors were moved from the building, which handles criminal, civil and family cases, to nearby Chaucer Road.

Officers then searched for the source of the smoke.

Eventually experts ruled it safe for people to return and criminal cases, including a rape trial and a breaching of Dover Eastern Docks security, were able to continue.

A fire service spokesman confirmed they were called to the courts just after 2pm to reports of smoke inside the building, though following a search by crews no fire was found.