Two incidents close city centre

26 August 2011 Last updated at 14:52 ET

The bus station in Canterbury city centre was evacuated (picture by Alex Gibson and Frederick Gower)

Trains have been halted and areas of Canterbury city centre evacuated while police investigate two incidents.

Kent Police said the first followed a call from a member of the public at 16:21 BST about a suspicious package near the railway in Old Dover Road.

The second involved the discovery of a small fire at Marks and Spencer in St George’s Street. Kent Fire and Rescue are at the scene.

Police said officers were unable to say yet whether the incidents were linked.

It is not yet known what caused the fire.

St George’s Street has been closed and Whitefriars, the bus station, Rose Square and the Marlowe Arcade have been evacuated.

Old Dover Road is closed between Raymond Avenue and Puckle Lane.

Police are advising pedestrians to avoid the city centre and drivers to find alternative routes.

Southeastern said all railway lines between Canterbury East and Dover Priory were blocked.

Services were disrupted and a replacement bus service was running. HS1 services from Faversham were calling at Teynham and Newington.

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