SAND caused a security alert at the DVLA office in Ipswich after a security guard spotted a suspicious powder.Staff were not allowed in or out of the St Clare House building in Grey Friar's Road after a suspect package was found addressed to the Inland Revenue which is also based in the building.

SAND caused a security alert at the DVLA office in Ipswich after a security guard spotted a suspicious powder.

Staff were not allowed in or out of the St Clare House building in Grey Friar's Road after a suspect package was found addressed to the Inland Revenue which is also based in the building.

Police were called and a cordon was put in place at around 7.40am today.

Fire and ambulance services were on standby following the alert and tests carried out to determine what the powder was.

However it was found to be simply sand.

A spokesman from the DVLA said: “I am able to confirm that there was suspicious package addressed to the Inland Revenue this morning.

“As DVLA shares the building with the Inland Revenue the local office was closed between 9am and 10:15am”

A spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs said that a security guard at St Clare House noticed a substance on the floor where the post had been delivered.

He said: “In line with our procedures this area of the building was closed and staff were not allowed to enter or leave the building.

“The police were called and the substance was found to be sand.

“Normal service was restored as soon as possible at around 9.45am.”