A security scare forced more than 4,000 spectators and players to evacuate a prestigious centre court tennis final.

Ticket holders, competitors and staff spilled out into roads surrounding Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, at 12.30pm on Saturday, halting the singles final of the Hastings Direct International Championship between Chanda Rubin and Conchita Martinez.

The start of the match had already been delayed by about 20 minutes when the crowd's slow hand claps were interrupted by a siren warning people to leave the stand.

Officials from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), which runs the competition, could not confirm the nature of the scare but it was believed organisers had received two telephone calls earlier in the morning warning of a possible bomb threat.

A statement issued by the LTA said: "Based on information received and in light of the current security climate in the UK, the decision was taken to evacuate the grounds of Devonshire Park.

"The organisers of the Hastings Direct International Championships would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter."

Shaun White, 28, of Watts Lane, Eastbourne and partner Rob Styles, 27, of Woodland Avenue, Eastbourne, were among those waiting in Blackwater Road, next to the tennis centre.

Mr White, a care officer, said: "Everyone was really relaxed during the evacuation and even when the siren went off."

Mr Styles said the crowd had been getting impatient when the call came to leave their seats.

He said: "We just thought we had seen a glimpse of the players when the announcement came."

The LTA statement continued: "Experienced staff searched the premises assisted by police under contingency plans. Nothing suspicious was found."

The match restarted at 2.45pm but was the subject of more drama after Martinez slipped and injured her leg.

After a medical timeout off court, she returned to the game but was beaten by defending champion Rubin two sets to one.