TRAIN services in Thurrock were affected as police dealt with an incident at Grays station this afternoon (Monday, 11 July) and nearby buildings were evacuated.

The source of the disruption was a suspect package at which was discovered at Thurrock Council offices in New Road, Grays shortly after 3.30pm.

As a precaution the building was evacuated and so was the adjacent South Essex College. Grays rail station was also closed and trains held or diverted. A replacement bus service was put in place.

However, after making the area safe police officers attended and established it was a suitcase with nothing suspicious or of concern inside.

C2c have said things are now getting back to normal but it may take some time. At 5.30pm c2c used social media to say: "Due to police dealing with an incident earlier at Grays, Train services running across the whole c2c network are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or revised. Please check your journey."

At one point access to the station car park was not allowed but drivers are now being given access to their vehicles and can leave.