BOMB disposal experts gave the all-clear after a suspicious package was spotted at a town hall.

A black back-pack was spotted under a row of seats in the reception area of the Adur Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, which also houses Arun District Council.

The building was evacuated after the alarm was raised early yesterday afternoon.

Nearby streets were also cordoned off as the fire service arrived at the scene.

But bomb disposal experts declared the bag safe and it was later claimed by a resident who had left it there by mistake.

Sussex Police said: “As a precaution the building was evacuated, nearby roads closed and a 100-metre safety cordon put in place.”