SHOPPERS have been evacuated from Sainsbury’s supermarket in Howley after a suspicious package was discovered by the entrance to the store.

Police evacuated the shop after the discovery at around 11.15am and the bomb squad are in attendance as a precautionary measure.

A 200 metre cordon has been set up and Farrell Street near to St Elphin’s Church along with Fennel Street have been closed while the incident is investigated.

A controlled explosion was carried out at around 2.10pm on the package which proved to be innocuous.

The roads and store have now been re-opened.

A police spokesman said: "We would like to thank motorists in the area and members of the public for their forbearance during this incident."