DINERS had to be evacuated after a gas leak at a fast-food restaurant in Clacton town centre.

Up to 30 people are believed to have been in McDonald's, in Pier Avenue, when the alarm was raised just before 11.15am yesterday.

The fire service discovered a leaking CO2 bottle.

A spokeswoman said: “When firefighters arrived they were managed to quickly make the CO2 cylinder safe. Crews then used a fan to ventilate the restaurant.

“Firefighters left the scene at 12pm.”

A member of staff at the fast-food outlet said it had reopened again by 2.15pm.