Investigations are under way to find the caller of a hoax bomb threat that brought the centre of Margate to a standstill.

Staff at Thanet magistrates court in Cecil Square received an anonymous call stating that an explosive device was in the area at around 11.40am on Tuesday.

Police were alerted and neighbouring businesses were evacuated as a safety precaution, including Thanet council headquarters, Margate library, The Centre shopping arcade and part of the High Street.

A police spokeswoman said: “The magistrates court building was searched by police officers and specially trained dogs. Nothing suspicious was found and the building was handed back to court security staff at 3pm.”