RAF Lyneham has been given the all-clear tonight following a suspected bomb alert, the Ministry of Defence said.

Bomb disposal experts were called to investigate the "suspected improvised explosive device" at RAF Lyneham but no device was found, a MoD spokesman said.

It is understood a sniffer dogs reacted to chemicals on a car that was driven on to the base. The dog is believed alerted staff to the chemical residue during the routine check all cars arriving at the base undergo.

Police and MoD staff alerted bomb squad officers as a precaution.

Personnel from the base were evacuated, as were householders and shop staff near the base.

Houses near the Tesco store in Calne Road along with staff at the store were evacuated by police officers earlier this evening.

The road was blocked for several hours.

Mum Victoria Hawkes said: "We were coming back from the park and we were told we could not come up the road past Tesco.

"I asked if I could come back to get my dog because he was in the house but they said no. "We came back at seven and we were not allowed in, then we came back at eight and it was the same.

"We went up to a friend's house."

Residents were evacuated at around 5pm and some did not return home until past 9pm.

Mrs Holden said: "My daughter was here but I was in work.

"The community police officer told some children they had to go up the road and they told her. "She went to my daughter's house up the road. "My other daughter works on the base and she had to go to the other end of camp.

"She told us when we could come home. "They were just being safe - I understand why they did it, they have to be careful."

Roads were closed as far away as Hilmarton. Officers from all over the county were drafted in and firefighters and ambulances were put on standby.