SOUTHEND Airport was shut down after a "suspicious bag" was found on a nearby roundabout.

The Ministry of Defence bomb disposal squad was sent to the airport.

Police cordoned off the entrance to Southend Airport following the discovery of a suspicious bag.

Airport bosses refused to confirm details at the time, saying: "We are dealing with a security incident."

Police were called at around 10.40am.

Police lifted cordons near to the entrance to Southend airport after the 'suspicious' bag was examined by bomb disposal officers and found to be harmless.

The bag, which had been left on a roundabout near the airport approach road, contained rubbish and old clothes.

Roads were reopened shortly before 1pm and traffic congestion in the area is expected to clear soon. 

A Southend Airport spokeswoman said: "Safety and security are our paramount concerns at London Southend Airport, and we would like to thank our staff for their vigilance and timely response in enacting tried and tested emergency procedures.

"The airport is currently experiencing delays of no more than 50 minutes to both inbound and outbound flights. In total four outbound and four inbound flights have been affected."