BLACKBURN town centre was partly sealed off today after a suspicious package was found at the town's telephone exchange.

Bomb squad officers were called to the building on Jubilee Street just before noon.

Police confirmed that staff at the exchange had received a warning call and officers were trying to establish if a recognised terrorist code had been used. A suspect package was found inside the building.

Shops and offices in several main streets were evacuated, including those in Church Street and Darwen Street.

Traffic came to a standstill on Church Street and Mincing Lane and crowds of people gathered on street corners, waiting for news.

Mounted police officers cleared the Boulevard of people and buses were stopped from entering the bus station. Passengers were picked up and dropped off on Ainsworth Street instead.

Trains were still travelling through the railway station but were not stopping. Staff and waiting passengers were evacuated from the station building.

One eyewitness said: "It is just chaos."

A spokesman at Lancashire police headquarters in Hutton confirmed there had been a security alert.

Radio Lancashire's studio in Darwen Street was also evacuated and the station was broadcasting music throughout the alert.

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