RESIDENTS in Ipswich town centre had to leave their homes this morning while a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspicious package. The bomb squad was alerted by a member of staff just before 6am to a bag left outside the Customs and Excise building in Lower Brook Street.

RESIDENTS in Ipswich town centre had to leave their homes this morning while a controlled explosion was carried out on a suspicious package.

The bomb squad was alerted by a member of staff just before 6am to a bag left outside the Customs and Excise building in Lower Brook Street.

Between 50 and 60 people were evacuated from their homes. The incident was a false alarm, and the bag merely contained clothing.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes around an hour-and-a-half later.

See Monday's Evening Star for the full story.