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A large part of central London was cordoned off after a World War Two bomb was discovered, sparking travel chaos in the area.

Waterloo and Westminster Bridges were both closed from about 6pm following the discovery, as well as part of Victoria Embankment, which has remained closed into the evening.

The Royal Navy has been called and is expected to remove and dispose of the bomb overnight.

Westminster tube station was also evacuated earlier and closed for about an hour.

The bridges re-opened shortly after 7.30pm.

The bomb has been dredged from the River Thames after it was discovered by Victoria Embankment, with scores of police called to the area to carry out safety checks.

Michael Hutchinson was waiting at a packed Westminster tube station at about 6pm when he was suddenly told to evactuate.

The 26-year-old marketing executive told the Standard: “I was on the platform and we were told to evacuate immediately.

“We all poured out on to the street. The authorities are there moving people on.

“I was waiting for my train and it came through at the point the announcement was made. I could see the conductor getting a call telling him to keep moving.

“Everybody is a little angry, a little bit annoyed but these things happen.

“It is a bit shocking. When something like that happens is it a bit worrying. Police are saying it could be a while before the area reopens.”

A woman who works nearby added: “We were just walking by parliament when the police started telling everyone they needed to evacuate the area.

“We heard people talking about a bomb and didn't know what was happening.

“Given where we were we thought it might be something terrorist related and we were a bit scared."

Rebecca Needes tweeted: "Wonderful post apocalyptic scenes as Waterloo Bridge goes pedestrian-only thanks to an unexploded WWII bomb."

John Kinson added: "Westminster bridge closed as I was crossing it - World War II bomb dredged up. Quite surreal."

The incident is said to have sparked traffic chaos, and motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Further temporary road closures are expected to be necessary throughout the night as the ordnance is dealt with.

"The majority of these will be in central London."