BBC News Online: UK: England

Powder found at post depot

All the postal staff were moved into the car park

The building was evacuated at 0700 BST when the substance was spotted leaking from an item of mail thought to be a small package.

The suspect substance is being analysed in a laboratory.

Results were expected later on Tuesday.

The Copperas Hill sorting office is located in Liverpool city centre, not far from Lime Street railway station.

Five people were taken to a decontamination van outside the building, when it was announced postal deliveries in the centre had been stopped.

They were later transferred to Fazakerley Hospital.

A Merseyside Police press officer said: "We still do not know the contents of the package but can confirm it does not contain any explosives."

Postal workers seemed concerned but calm following the security alert.

"I think it's inevitable really, with what you're hearing in the media," said one man.

Another man said: "I think everyone's quite concerned. We've just got to stick it out.

"In a few hours we'll hopefully be able to resume work."

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the incident.