More than 30 people had to leave their homes in Eastbourne during a bomb alert.

Bomb disposal experts were drafted in after a member of the public became suspicious about rubbish in Old Orchard Road.

But as soon as the Army arrived, a homeowner returned and claimed responsibility for it.

Police cordoned off Old Orchard Road, near the town centre, for more than two hours as a precaution but the cordon was lifted just before 6pm last night.

Some residents were taken to the Assembly Room at the Town Hall in nearby Grove Road where they were given hot drinks.

Chief Inspector Peter Mills, Eastbourne district commander, said today the alert was well intentioned.

He said: "We would react in the same way should we receive information like this again."