LIVE updates: IKEA in Ashton-under-Lyne evacuated with roads nearby cordoned off

Hundreds of shoppers were told to leave IKEA in Ashton-under-Lyne this afternoon due to unconfirmed reports of a 'gas leak', with roads cordoned off nearby. Customers at the huge homeware store heard an alarm, which was sounded at around 3.30pm this afternoon.

According to witnesses, staff told families with children to leave first, with others following behind, as the fire exit doors were opened. One shopper told the M.E.N that the exit from the car park was 'gridlocked' with heavy traffic after the announcement.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were seen in attendance nearby, with a cordon erected on Oldham Road, just behind IKEA. The fire service has been approached for further information on this incident.

This is an ongoing incident. Follow below for the latest updates.

IKEA has also been approached by the Manchester Evening News this afternoon for further information on the incident.

It is understood the evacuation message and alarms started ringing out at around 3.30pm this afternoon.

Pictures from the scene show onlookers beside the cordon, has hundreds of customers try to get out of the car park, which has been described as 'busy' and 'gridlocked'.

Another shopper who was evacuated this afternoon with his three children told the MEN: "It came over the tannoy that everyone had to leave and get to the closest exit and then the alarms started going off.

"The car park is chaotic we may as well have the engine off as everyone is trying to drive out and there are hundreds of cars. We didn't know what was happening but it seemed like a major issue.

"I have three young children so for them hearing the alarms and people being panicked is scary for them. We all had to leave via the ground floor first and