Kent shoppers have been urged to "carry on as usual" despite a bomb scare which saw hundreds evacuated from Greenhithe’s Bluewater shopping centre – leaving some "too scared" to return.

The security alert sparked the evacuation of several stores at about 5.30pm on Saturday (November 21).

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Sections of Bluewater were cordoned off while shoppers were evacuated

Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on a "suspicious" package that was later discovered to be harmless.

Despite the false alarm, shoppers have been left questioning their safety at the shopping centre in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

Gavin Miller, an engineer, said: "I will not be going to do my Christmas shopping at Bluewater – you can be sure of that.

"It’s just too scary at the moment."

The incident happened just over a week after the attacks which saw Islamic extremists kill 129 people in the French capital, on November 13.

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Staff at the centre have warned customers not to leave their belongings lying around to help prevent another alert.

Rob Richards said: "I work in Bluewater, and every day, someone leaves an empty shoe box, or rucksack under a table, in a corner, anywhere.

"Everyone I know spends their shifts worrying about what might happen – people need to grow a brain and stop leaving rubbish around the place."

Following the scare, a rumour spread on social media claiming security staff had been "tipped-off" about a planned attack on the centre on Black Friday (November 27) – the busiest shopping day of the year.

The post claimed that "750 body bags had been delivered" to the centre.

It also suggested the area was on "high alert" and that bosses had "got sniffer dogs in".

Bluewater was quick to quash the rumours - a spokesman said: "We are aware of a rumour currently circulating on social media which is totally untrue.

"Bluewater takes the safety and security of all our guests and staff very seriously."

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Picture by Adam Flindelli - the bomb disposal team at Bluewater

A spokesman for Kent Police added: "We are currently investigating this post and the circumstances surrounding this."

"We work closely with Bluewater on a daily basis."

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson encouraged residents not to "allow terrorists to erode our way of life."

He said: "I think it’s absolutely right Kent Police are taking a cautious approach to these situations.

"It’s not surprising following the events in Paris and the ongoing situation in Brussels that awareness is heightened.

"My family and I will be shopping at Bluewater this Christmas."

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Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite added: "I think we have to give credit to the security services at Bluewater.

"They work very hard all year round to keep the place safe - especially during these times of heightened awareness.

"While we should remain vigilant, we have to try and carry on as business as usual and can’t let it upset our daily routine."