A busy Kent shopping centre was evacuated this afternoon.

People piled into the streets outside Royal Victoria Place, after they were told to leave the building shortly before 1.30pm.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the emergency siren had gone off, but that it was a false alarm.

KentOnline has been unable to make contact with anyone at the centre.

Staff and shoppers had been allowed to return by 2pm.

Last month shoppers were asked to leave the centre after a bomb scare.