CABOT Circus shopping centre in the heart of Bristol has been evacuated this evening.

According to reports on social media police are at the scene with sniffer dogs as hundreds of people were evacuated from the shopping centre at around 8.30pm this evening.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Earlier this evening we received a call in relation to Cabot Circus shopping centre.

"Officers attended and the shopping centre made the decision to evacuate.

"The safety of the public is paramount and a cordon and traffic diversions have been put in place as a precaution.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding at this time."

As of 9.55pm, we understand the shopping centre has re-opened.