HUNDREDS of shoppers have been evacuated from The Mall in Blackburn.

The shopping centre's alarm was triggered at around noon and everyone inside was told to leave.

The alarm stopped at about 12.30pm.

Lancashire Telegraph:

One shopper said: "I was coming down the escalator and it suddenly stopped.

"A tannoy announcement came on and told everyone to leave and to not use the lift."

It is the second time in four days that the Mall has been evacuated.

Shoppers were forced to leave the centre on Saturday lunchtime after a fault was highlighted with a water pump.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “Alarms were activated by a burst water pipe in the service area underneath The Mall at midday today. 

“The centre was safely evacuated and shoppers were able to re-enter The Mall at 12.30pm.”