A BOMB disposal unit, police and four fire vehicles were called to Wye this morning following a bomb scare.

A report of a suspicious package left outside Wakelin butchers in Church Street at 10.35am resulted in police sealing off the immediate area.

The package turned out to be an empty briefcase accidentally left outside the premises.

Lee Rose, Ashford fire and rescue service station commander, said: "Two fire engines attended - one from Ashford and one from Chilham, as well as a Forward Control Unit, which also included a pump and a height vehicle (with ladder) from Folkestone. There were also three fire officers, myself and two from Canterbury.

"In a case like this, the fire and rescue service is on hand to deal with the results of an explosion or if the device was to catch fire, but we are also required to help control the area and any traffic problems."

The incident was over by 11am.