A LARGE department store has been evacuated.

The Debenhams store in Churchill Square shopping centre, Brighton, has been closed after a fire alarm in the building was triggered.

Two fire engines quickly attended the scene.

A witness said: "I had just parked and made my way up the stairs to Debenhams.

"As I got to the store a security guard told me to go back down as the store was being evacuated due to a fire alarm going off.

"Another security told me it was a fire alarm and they will have to investigate it further as it wasn’t a drill.

"They said the store should be open 'in a few hours' but I’m pretty sure that’s when it’s due to shut."

An East Sussex Fire and Rescue spokeswoman confirmed the service had sent two fire engines to the scene at about 4.30pm and crews investigated the cause of the fire alarm.

But she said that one of the engines was called back soon after arriving and the incident is believed to be a false alarm.