BRIDGE Street has now reopened after police responded to reports of a suspicious package left at the Halifax.

Members of staff in the town centre branch alerted the police just before 1pm after a black handbag containing a brown package was left at the bank accidentally by a customer.

Police responded by protocol, evacuating the store and sealing off streets feeding in to the affected area.

After inquiries it was established the package was not dangerous, and the bank reopened to customers after the cordon was taken down by around 2pm.

Town centre sector Inspector Paul Saunders said: "We have been dealing with an incident which was reported by the branch.

"Bridge Street was closed for around 30 minutes, and there was no further action to take."

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said: "Wiltshire Police received a call at approximately 12.53pm on 20th May 2015, reporting a suspicious package in Halifax Plc, Bridge Street, Swindon town centre.

"The building was evacuated and a cordon had been put in place.

"Roads near to Bridge Street were closed and drivers were advised to find an alternative route.

"The package was not suspicious and the cordons have been lifted."

Shoppers gathered to observe the incident, and reported police ensuring the package was safe.

36-year-old Tim Harris said: "When I was down at the bottom of town at about 1 o'clock the police were carrying out a black box, and the whole street was sealed off totally after that."