Exeter’s Princesshay shopping centre and the city centre have been evacuated after a suspected explosive device was detonated in a restaurant.

Firearms police, sniffer dogs and a Royal Navy bomb disposal team have been sent to the scene and an injured man has been taken to hospital.

The explosion occurred in the Giraffe restaurant in Princesshay just before 1pm. All shops in the area have been evacuated and the city centre has been sealed off. Exeter high street, Bedford Square, Queen Street and Paris Street are all shut.

The police have asked retailers to retain today’s CCTV footage, which may be needed as part of the investigation.