POLICE cordoned off a street in Ipswich town centre after a suspect package was found - but the item turned out to be a bag full of clothes.

Officers descended on Civic Drive at 10.34am after a number of bags were found outside South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Police were contacted by a person in the court building and officers quickly cordoned off the street.

People inside the court were not allowed off the building as the drama unfolded.

However, a spokesman for Suffolk Police said the package turned out to be a bag of clothes and would be disposed.

Civic Drive has since been re-opened.