CATERS People being evacuated from Gatwick Airport hours after Paris terror attacks

FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The entire North Terminal was evacuated for six-hours on Saturday following "suspicious actions by a man who discarded an item at the airport". Explosive device specialists were called to the airport to carry out a controlled explosion and officers said the evacuation was "for the protection of the public". Airport officials confirmed on Saturday evening that the terminal had reopened but only after massive disruption had been caused throughout the day.

CATERS London's Gatwick airport has been evacuated

Jerome Chauris, 41, from Vendome, central France, is due to appear at Crawley Magistrates' Court on Monday. In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Sussex Police said: "Police were called at around 9.30am following suspicious actions by a man who discarded an item in a bin at the airport. "Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists were called to the airport to investigate the item and carried out a small controlled explosion. "Personal items and what appears to be a firearm were recovered and have been removed for forensic examination. However, the viability of the weapon has yet to be established. "A 41-year-old man from Vendôme in France was arrested at the scene at the time of the report on suspicion of firearms offences. "He was 'landside' at the airport and had not checked in or passed through any passport or security checks."

CATERS Armed police stand guard outside the north terminal

Pictures from those caught up during the disruptions at the West Sussex airport showed large crowds waiting outside in the rain. Travellers were later being advised to check with their airline with delays and cancellations likely. EasyJet said only those travelling with hand luggage would be allowed to board flights. The airline said in a statement: “Passengers who have hold luggage and are NOT through the security channels will not be able to board flights with scheduled departure times before 17:30 today. Anyone affected by these measures will be entitled to a full refund or a free flight transfer. “The airport will be incredibly busy this afternoon so we urge you to return home or go to a hotel and contact our Customer Services team or return to the airport tomorrow when the queues will have subsided.”

CATERS Passengers queuing outside the terminal

A Gatwick Airport spokesman said: "Following a full and thorough search by the police, we are now able to re-open our North Terminal to passengers. “Passengers should check with their airlines for information about their journey.

GETTY The Gatwick Airport evacuation happened hours after the Paris terror attacks

"Our priority is always the safety and welfare of our passengers and extra Gatwick staff are on hand to assist those who have experienced significant disruption to their journey today. "We are working with our airlines to return North Terminal to usual operations. South Terminal is operating as normal."

Paris Terror Attack 2015: One year on Sun, November 13, 2016 Terrorists slaughtered 130 people during a series of coordinated terror attacks in Paris on Friday 13th November 2015. The attacks took place at the Bataclan concert hall, Boulevard Voltaire, Belle Equipe bar, rue Fontaine au Roi, Petit Cambodge restaurant, and Le Carillon bar. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 86 French President Francois Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo lay a wreath of flowers as they unveil a commemorative plaque next to the

The security alert came less than a day after terror attacks in the French capital. British police have told how they will step up checks at UK borders and ports and major public events in the wake of the tragedy.