Ilkley town centre businesses were evacuated today in a suspected gas leak.

Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food Store in Station Plaza, along with the central Post Office, station ticket office, and two banks were closed after staff reported a smell of gas.

Northern Gas Networks have sent engineers into town to investigate, but they do not believe there is a serious gas leak.

A smell of gas was reported at the lower end of Brook Street at around lunchtime, but reports quickly spread higher up the street, to Station Plaza, and police were called in.

There was also a gas-like smell reported on Wells Road.

The businesses in Station Plaza were expected to reopen this afternoon.