POLICE were last night hunting bomb hoaxers after a terror alert brought a city to a standstill.

The centre of Canterbury, Kent, was shut down as bomb squad officers probed a rucksack on a busy railway.

It was said to contain a black cylinder attached to a mobile phone, found on the track under a bridge.

Police also investigated whether a fire in a baby changing room inside the city's M&S store was connected to the discovery of the rucksack.

There was also speculation last night that the hoax could have been linked to reports of suspicious activity at the one-day cricket game between Kent and India at Canterbury earlier in the day.

Residents and workers were evacuated from near the railway and around the shopping centre.

Ambulance, fire crews and hospitals were put on stand-by but early this morning police said the suspect device was "an elaborate hoax".

A force statement on Twitter last night said: "We can now confirm that the suspect package on the railway line is NOT an explosive device, but an elaborate hoax."

Earlier one city centre worker said: "We thought there was something going on because of all the emergency sirens but we didn't take it seriously until we looked out at 5pm and the city centre was deserted."

British Transport Police said: "No passengers or rail staff are in danger."

Kent Police later said: "Reports of suspicious activity at the Cricket Ground in Canterbury - we are checking that out to ensure public safety."