England

Men released after Dover security alert

Two German men have been released by investigators after sparking a security alert which temporarily shut one of the main gateways to Britain.

The pair, aged 36 and 43, were believed to be en route to a military show when they were stopped in vehicles at the Port of Dover in Kent, sources said.

One was in a lorry and the other in a van when they were detained by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officials at the port's Eastern Docks after arriving on a ferry from Calais yesterday evening, Kent Police said.

Items found included ammunition and other military memorabilia, prompting authorities to throw a 200m cordon around the port and hold ferries approaching Dover in the English Channel.

Ministry of Defence bomb disposal experts were drafted in to assess the weapons.

After being declared safe, the docks were reopened nearly two hours later but the alert caused heavy congestion on roads leading to the port, including the A2 and A20.

A UKBA spokesman said tonight that the 43-year-old has been bailed pending further inquiries and the 36-year-old released without charge.

He said: "The items seized are now being examined by forensic specialists."