IKEA in Lakeside was evacuated after the alarm was accidentally triggered.

Customers have been forced to stand outside in the car park, unaware of the reason they have been evacuated from the Swedish furnture store.

But IKEA released a statement explaining that an alarm was accidentally set off.

Arslan Ali, IKEA Lakeside’s Deputy Store Manager said: “The safety of our customers and co-workers is always highest priority for IKEA. We can confirm that the IKEA Lakeside store was evacuated today after the fire alarm was triggered.

"Following a swift evacuation and confirmation that this was an accidental alarm, customers were invited back into the store. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers.”