PENSIONERS had to be evacuated from a church hall after it was feared they had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.

Paramedics, police and firefighters were all called to the Isaac Watts Memorial church hall in Winchester Road, Southampton, after it was reported that up to eight casualties were involved.

The road was closed just after 11am and pensioners were evacuated from the building after some complained of feeling unwell.

However, tests were conducted and no trace of the toxic gas were found.

Paramedics checked over those pensioners who had been evacuated from the hall as a precaution.