MARKS & Spencer in Oxford was evacuated after a false alarm over a fire in a lift shaft.

People were told to leave the store when an alarm went off in the store shortly before 11am.

Two fire engines arrived in Queen Street at about 11.05am and a third arrived shortly after.

Oxfordshire and Fire Rescue Service incident commander Sean Mienie said: "There was an unknown smell of burning and a reported fire in a lift shaft.

"We haven't discovered anything. It has gone back as a false alarm."

Shopper Betty Davey said: "I was up in the restaurant just getting a coffee.

"We didn't go out for a few minutes and then they said we must all go out.

"They said a fire hazard, but I don't know what a fire hazard is."

Oxford Mail: