Police have a cordoned off a large area of Watford because of a bomb scare.

Officers were called to The Flag public house, on Station Road, at about 7pm this evening after a suspicious package was found in a toilet.

Neighbouring Watford Junction railway station has also been closed, with all surrounding roads closed by police.

More than half-a-dozen police cars, each with their lights flashing, are preventing drivers and pedestrians getting within 200 yards of the area, with closures in place at the junctions with St Albans Road, Clarendon Road and Woodford Road.

Witnesses at the scene say two Army bomb disposal officers have entered the pub in the past hour. It is not known, however, whether a controlled explosion will be carried out.

The package, believed to be a book, a mobile phone and an MP3 player, was reportedly found tied to a tap with a length of string. Police, however, have not confirmed this.

One witness explained how the drama developed. Speaking on the corner of Langley Road, the nearest people can now get to Watford Junction, she said: “First we were told to leave the pub, then the police arrived and kept moving us back and back. They are taking it really seriously.”

Seventeen-year-old Oliver Austin, who has watched the drama unfold, added: “Everyone is saying that it [the bomb] was in the toilet. I’ve just seen two guys in Army uniforms get out of a car and walk towards the pub.”

In the meantime no trains are stopping at Watford Junction, causing heavy delays for commuters.

Karl Mcalpine does not know when he will get back to his home in Milton Keynes. He said: “I’ve got no idea what time I’m going to get back. I’ve been told the station could be closed for a couple more hours.

“It’s been a big inconvenience for a lot of people but I understand why they have to do this.”