HOMES and businesses in central Rainham were evacuated for more than three hours after two suspect packages were found.

The packages, both large heavy duty suitcases, were left in High Street, at about 1pm on Tuesday.

The first was left in the Lloyds TSB branch and the other, was left outside in the street about 100 metres away from the bank next to a bus stop.

The high street area was cordoned off from the Rainham Maidstone Road, all the way along to Orchard Street, which left business including Tesco unable to allow shoppers in.

Officers from Medway Police called in the bomb squad who, with the help of a remote-controlled robot, carried out one controlled explosion on the first suitcase in the high street and then a bomb disposal expert walked into the bank and checked the other suitcase.

Neither case contained explosives, but Medway police will be checking CCTV footage to see if they could establish who had left them.

One resident, Jenny Durning (corr) said: "I was stopped from doing my shopping in Tesco.When I first arrived only a small area was cordoned off, but later they closed a wider area."

Another, Paul Fallon added: "I had to get off the bus right at the other end of the high street, but you don’t really mind, I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry."

Speaking from the scene Insp Iain Mackenzie said: "We evacuated the area at about 1pm as a precaution and called in the bomb squad.

"One control explosion was carried out on the first case, and the other was found to contain household items, neither contained any explosives."

"We will be closely studying the CCTV footage to see who may have left the cases."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to call Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.