Staff and shoppers were evacuated from one of Southend's major shopping centres this morning after a fire alarm went off.

The Royals at the bottom of the High Street was closed off at around 10am because of the scare.

Other shops and cafes continued to trade normally while security guards checked the centre during the scare.

Shoppers were allowed to return after no fire was discovered.

Published Thursday July 15, 2004

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