POLICE have received a call about a suspicious package at Essex University.

A 100m cordon was put place and a section of the campus was evacuated - as well as nearby buildings.

Police are awaiting the arrival of the Ministry of Defence explosive ordnance disposal team.

Journalism student Charlie Williams, 19, is one of the people who has been asked to leave buildings.

Gazette:

Scene - students and staff filing out of Essex University  PICTURE: Charlie Williams 

He said people are being asked to leave buildings, shops and lecture theatres in the squares at the Colchester campus - the main heart of the site.

He said: "The fire alarm has been going off for 25 minutes non-stop.

"Everybody has been told to leave the buildings in the squares and moved up towards the library.

"I can see at the bottom - near the car park - there are lots of police.

"There are at least 500 people - maybe more.

"I was in the shop at the time and thought it was a normal fire alarm until I went outside and there were people ushering lots of people away.

"But everyone is quite calm, there is nobody rushing around panicking or anything like that."

READ MORE: In pictures: Essex University evacuated over suspicious package

A spokesman for Essex University thanked students and staff for their reaction and said they would provide an update soon.

READ MORE: Campus reopens after evacuation 

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Following an investigation we have established that the package posed no risk to the public.

"We thank you for your support and patience as we managed this incident."