EMERGENCY services were called to Haltwhistle on Thursday evening for what police have described as a 'security alert.'

Police were called to a business near Haltwhistle Railway Station to attend the incident at around 6pm.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "We received a report of a suspicious package at a business in Haltwhistle on Thursday.

"The premises was evacuated and experts from the bomb disposal unit attended.

"The item was disposed of as a precaution. Enquiries are ongoing to determine if a criminal offence has taken place."

The station and surrounding areas were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Rail operator Northern said the Newcastle to Carlisle line had been closed but has since reopened. However, it is warning commuters that rail services will be disrupted for the remainder of the evening.