The operators of a leisure centre in east Suffolk that was evacuated during a bomb scare have spoken out against the “mindless individual” behind the “malicious hoax”.

The Deben Pool in Woodbridge, which is operated by Suffolk Coastal District Council, was closed for most of today after staff received a bomb threat in the post.

Suffolk police were alerted to the scare at about 10,15am, evacuated the pool as a precautionary measure and carried out a search with dog units, but found no trace of a device.

Councillor TJ Haworth-Culf, who is responsible for customers, communities and leisure at the council, has apologised for the inconvenience caused.

“The safety of our staff and the public is our utmost priority,” she added.

“The staff acted promptly and perfectly correctly in evacuating the building as a precautionary measure and informing the police, so a full search could be carried out.

“This would appear to be a malicious hoax, carried out by some mindless individual to inconvenience the regular users of the pool.

“We will of course continue to work with the police to assist their investigation and hopefully help them trace whoever is responsible.”

The leisure centre was reopened at about 4pm.