A BOMB scare closed Folkestone Magistrates' Court for about two-and-a-half hours today.

The court, neighbouring the Civic Centre and nearby flats in Castle Hill Avenue were all evacuated at 10.30am. Two sniffer dogs swept the area for explosives and the whole area was re-opened just before 1pm.

But the court may remain closed for business throughout this afternoon. Sgt Trevor Moody said: "The initial call came into the magistrates' court and they notified the police. A second call was then received by the police."

Ironically, the bomb scare came on the day that a 32-year-old man was due to appear before the town's magistrates on terrorism-related charges.

The man, from north-west London, was scheduled to face the court accused of possession and collection of articles and information used for the purposes of terrorism.