A BUSY Hampshire shopping parade has reopened this afternoon after a chemical scare turned out to be a false alarm.

The retail area on Shakespeare Road in Boyatt Wood was taped off after staff at a dental practice raised the alarm earlier this afternoon.

The building was evacuated as fire, ambulance and police crews descended on the scene to investigate reports of chemical fumes.

But despite a thorough examination of the scene, no toxic material was located and shops and businesses have since reopened.