POLICE evacuated a road in Colchester after receiving reports of a suspect item in a rubbish bin.

Flagstaff Road was cordoned off by officers shortly before 3pm.

Officers examined the item which was found not to be suspicious.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police were contacted at 2.50pm this afternoon with reports of concern for an item in a bin in Flagstaff Road, Colchester.

"A cordon was established as a precaution which included closing the road and then the item examined. All was found to be in order within an hour of the initial call."