An explosive disposal team has been called to London Gatwick Airport due to a “suspected prohibited item”.

Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport this morning (November 22) at 8.20am, after the suspected prohibited item was found in luggage.

The airport has been evacuated and Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink train services will no longer be stopping at the airport’s railway station while the incident is dealt with.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport.

“This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible.”

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport said: “A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident.

“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing.

“Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”