Police have reassured the public that a large scale emergency service operation at a Suffolk theme park was a planned exercise and not in response to a specific threat.

Witnesses reported seeing ambulances, fire engines and police helicopters, and hearing loud gunfire in the area of Pleasurewood Hills and Gunton Cliffs beach, in Lowestoft, on Tuesday.

Police issued a statement explaining the exercise was designed to strengthen response to a major incident.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “A training exercise to test the response of police and other partners is being held today (Tuesday) at Pleasurewood Hills.

“This is part of a pre-planned training exercise to test our response to a major incident. There is no risk to staff or the public and is not in response to any specific threat. This is one of a number of pre-planned exercises organised around the country to test and strengthen responses to a major incident.”