Coca-Cola has issued a statement after 200 people were evacuated from it's Sidcup factory last night (January 18) due to an acid leak.

A spokesperson said the evacuation at the Cray Road site was a "precautionary measure" and there was no risk to any colleagues.

They added that the issue has now been resolved and the site is back operating as normal.

Coca-Cola thanked the emergency services for their "swift response" and apologised to local residents for any disruption caused.

The full statement from a Coca-Cola spokesperson said: “Our production site at Sidcup was temporarily evacuated last night as a precautionary measure.

"There was no risk to any of our colleagues and the issue has now been resolved. Our site is now back operating as normal.

"We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and support, and would like to apologise to local residents for any disruption caused overnight.”

The bang happened just before 8.40pm last night (January 18), and turned out to be a leak of hydrochloric acid at the plant.

Firefighters dealt with the incident and around 200 people were evacuated from the building.

Neighbour Jermaine Cayenne was putting his daughter to bed when he heard the bang, which he assumed at first to be an explosion.

He told the News Shopper: "Between around 8.30pm and 8.45pm, I heard a bang before putting my daughter to bed.

"It was quite unusual being that my road is quiet, and at the best of times you can hear a pin drop.

"The bang, which I assumed to be an explosion, was followed by sounds of multiple emergency units.

"It's now known to have been the Coca-Cola factory based in Sidcup.

"My road wasn't advised to close our windows following the escape of chemicals so I assume it's nothing to worry about."

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "London firefighters dealt with a chemical incident at a factory on Cray Road in Sidcup.

"There was a leak of hydrochloric acid at the plant.

"It was isolated at around 11.30pm.

"Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the night taking readings of chemicals in the air.

"Around 200 people evacuated the building before the Brigade arrived. There are no reports of any injuries.

"The Brigade was called at 8.39pm and the incident was handed over to onsite management at 5.26am."