Luton Airport is to reopen after bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious item.

The airport had been evacuated earlier today with all flights suspended and roads shut following the discovery of a suspicious item in the security search area..

Bedfordshire Police said: "We can confirm that controlled explosion has taken place at Luton Airport. Item is safe. Airport opening soon but there will be delays."

As well as causing flight chaos, with many services either cancelled or diverted, the shutdown led to serious road congestion which spread to the nearby M1.

Hundreds of passengers were left to wait outside the terminal following the evacuation.

EasyJet had to divert six flights and axe 12 others with staff providing refreshments to evacuated passengers waiting in the warm autumn sunshine.

Bedfordshire police added: "The airport is in the process of reopening following a security alert that took place earlier this afternoon.

"Officers were called to the departure terminal at 1.36pm after airport security raised concerns about an item that was passed through a security check in keeping with the airport's policies and procedures."

The police went on: "Members of the public were evacuated from the terminal area as a safety precaution while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team were called in to undertake the necessary checks required.

"A controlled explosion was conducted at 5.15pm and it was confirmed that the item destroyed, although deemed suspicious, did not present a wider danger.

Bedfordshire Police can confirm that no one has been arrested in relation to this incident."

Belfast Telegraph