It has been revealed that an issue with a fire panel in a shop in Coopers Square shopping centre in Burton caused the shopping complex to be completely evacuated.

Today, Tuesday, November 14, hundreds of shoppers were told to leave the centre and made to wait outside of the Burton town centre building after a fire alarm was triggered.

Staff who work in the shops inside the centre were allowed to go back in at around 11.30am, shortly before shoppers were allowed to continue to head back inside at around 11.45am.

David Chadfield, the centre manager of Coopers Square shopping centre confirmed that a fire alarm was set off due to an issue with a fire panel at B&M Bargains, in the centre, but it was quickly sorted.

One shopper, who had been inside the centre, explained that he was told to leave by staff. He said: "They have evacuated the centre. Everyone has been told to leave. I don’t know what it’s all about."

Another shocked shopper said: "I tried going round to all four entrances and they’re all blocked off. They've just let staff in so hopefully we'll be next."

A third shopper added: "We were just in there and told to get out but the staff are back in now. No idea what it was for."