Stansted Airport has been evacuated after a suspect package was discovered.

Police were called to investigate an unattended bag and put a cordon in place, a spokesman for the airport said.

Images posted to social media showed crowds of people standing outside the airport’s building as officers examined the bag.

But it was found not to pose a threat and the alert was “stood down”.

The cordon has now been lifted and passengers have been allowed to return to the main terminal.

Stansted served 24 million passengers last year who flew to some 170 destinations in more than 35 countries.

It is owned and managed by Manchester Airports Group.