THE B&Q store in Poole was evacuated this afternoon following a malicious hoax phone call.

Police received reports of a security alert at the store in Fleets Lane around 2.50pm this afternoon.

According to a Dorset Police spokesman: "Officers attended and the building was evacuated as a precaution. A search of the store was carried out.

"Nothing untoward was found and it is believed that it was a hoax call.

"We take hoaxes extremely seriously. They divert police resources and cause disruption and alarm to the public."