UPDATE: Resident reclaims bag which sparked civic centre bomb scare

Bomb disposal experts at Littlehampton Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

A resident has reclaimed the black rucksack which sparked a large-scale bomb disposal operation in Littlehampton this afternoon.

The bag was found under seating in the reception of Littlehampton Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton at around 1pm.

It led to a 100-metre exclusion zone being enforced around the council building, and bomb disposal experts sending in a robot to assess the package.

Now, Sussex Police has confirmed the operation is over after a local resident claimed the bag after they left it there by mistake.

Littlehampton Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton was closed today due to a bomb scare. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

Sussex Police said: "Police worked with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Arun District Council after the discovery of a black back-pack left under seating in reception area of the civic centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton.

The bag was found at around 12.50pm on Monday and as a precaution the building was evacuated, nearby roads closed and a 100-metre safety cordon put in place. Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts were informed.

At 4.10pm the bag was claimed by a local person who had left it there by mistake."