Part of Brighton town centre was cordoned off by police for three hours last night after a bomb scare at the station.

Police evacuated the station and nearby streets after a van was spotted in the car park during a security check.

Police moved in shortly after 9pm and an Army bomb disposal team was called to investigate.

Bomb disposal officers carried out a controlled explosion at 11.15pm.

The explosion was clearly heard by people as far away as Whitecross Street. Nothing was found in the white Mercedes panel van.

A police spokeswoman said: "There was no trace of anything, no trace of explosives or anything else."

Police would not be drawn last night on why they believed the van could contain a bomb, saying only that there was enough about the vehicle for them to be suspicious.

Trains were stopped from arriving and departing for three hours while local people were told to stay indoors and away from windows.

Some nearby pubs were evacuated and drinkers in others were told not to leave.

Peter Skinner, landlord of the Evening Star in Surrey Street, said he was told not to let people leave at about 9.30pm.

They were still there at 11.30pm. Mr Skinner said: "I couldn't let my customers leave but I couldn't serve them drinks either."

The area was declared safe at midnight.