'WE HAD TO WALK BAREFOOT FOR A MILE'

Center Parcs families evacuated from £374-a-night Elveden camp after rumours of a ‘suspect device’ in the restaurant

Hundreds of holidaymakers were warned to stay inside their lodges as cops swooped on the village over 'false alarm'

Published: 7:28, 24 Jul 2017
Updated: 7:52, 25 Jul 2017

HUNDREDS of Center Parcs holidaymakers were evacuated following reports of a 'suspect device' in the heart of a resort.

Families staying at the Center Parcs Elveden Forest site in Suffolk were ordered back to their lodges and warned to stay inside as staff urgently cleared shops and restaurants.

Guests were told to urgently leaving the site's main Village Square areaCredit: Twitter/Dunkeyy

Te evacuation lasted several hours as the area was searched by policeCredit: Natalie Thorn

Holidaymakers evacuated from sports areas were wrapped in foil sheetsCredit: Natalie Thorn

Suffolk Police confirmed the evacuation of the resort's Village Square area took place at around 8pm last night after someone reported 'overhearing a conversation about a suspect device'.

It was later found to be a false alarm.

A spokesman said: "The area has been evacuated as a precautionary measure and, as part of their protocol.

"Center Parcs staff searched the premises but no suspicious items have been found."

Late on Sunday evening, Center Parcs told guests: "All guest communal areas have now re-opened.

"The evacuation on Sunday night was a precautionary measure due to reports of a suspect device.

Families were ordered out of guest areas in Center Parcs during evacuationCredit: Twitter/Michelle Vahey

Suffolk Police say a suspect package was feared to be inside the holiday village after a conversation was overheardCredit: Twitter/Michelle Vahey

Guests were asked to stay in their lodges during the evacuationCredit: Twitter

"A full search has been conducted and there is no evidence to suggest any public threat.

"Thank you for your understanding."

Guests say they were left in the dark for hours following the dramatic evacuation - forcing a diabetic child's mum to ask for help on social media.

Claire tweeted: "Are any of the staff type 1 diabetic with any way to administer insulin? My daughter is diabetic and her insulin pump is in the lockers!"

Another holidaymaker added: "Never thought 7 of us and a baby would have to walk barefoot 1.5 miles in emergency blankets back to our lodge tonight."

The resort is open as normal this morning.