Police shut London Bridge as rush hour started in the capital, after a suspicious package was found.

City of London Police officers were alerted to reports of a suspect package at around 5pm, and locked-down the bridge in order to investigate the area.

The major road, located beside the busy London Bridge station, was closed in both directions to vehicles and pedestrians, according to a City of London Police spokeswoman.

Police reopened it to traffic and pedestrians around 50 minutes later.

However, drivers are now facing conjestion following the closure.

London Bridge station remained open during the police operation, Network Rail spokesman Dan Donovan confirmed.

An image of London Bridge during the closure showed that the usually-packed road was deserted, and occupied by a single police vehicle.

Police are seen guarding London Bridge (Kiril Piskunov/@ciudilo)

Members of the public tweeted photos and updates from the scene.