HUNDREDS of staff were evacuated from a call centre this morning after a suspicious package was found.

The workers were evacuated from npower offices in Houghton-Le-Spring whilst police carried out an investigation.

Staff were asked to leave the building on Cygnet Way immediately and remained outside for more than two hours.

A witness speaking from the site said: "It wasn't the usual fire alarm it was a voice over asking everyone to evacuate.

"We were told that it was a suspicious package, nobody was allowed in and no cars were allowed out."

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police confirmed the police were in attendance "after they reported receiving a suspicious package."

Npower has since confirmed that the package does not pose any risk and is in the process of being removed.

A statement from npower reads: “We can confirm that a suspicious package was discovered on site at npower’s Rainton House this morning.

"The building was immediately evacuated and the appropriate emergency services were called who have now confirmed that the package does not pose a danger to anyone, and is in the process of being removed.

"The safety of our staff is our absolute priority and we would like to thank them for their patience, along with the emergency service for their swift response to the situation.”