Swathes of Orpington were brought to a standstill this afternoon after a 'suspicious package' was discovered.

Parts of Kent Road and Lower Road were closed by the Metropolitan Police as they investigated the package.

One witness told News Shopper: "Police were blocking off traffic Lower Road in Orpington and Kent Road in St Mary Cray. Traffic was at a standstill, but I couldn't see any ambulance or the fire service.

"There were a lot of police. They had put up blue hazard tape."

Police were called at 2.30pm, and the road was blocked until just before 4pm.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the package was not suspicious.

She said: "We were called to a suspicious package but the situation has been stood down.

"The package has been deemed non-suspicious and there are no problems."