A NUMBER of people who were using the facilities at the Newport Centre were evacuated while wearing swimming costumes and had bare feet.

They were given emergency foil blankets after they were evacuated, and later police gave them clothes to keep them warm and comfortable.

Alison Hughes was in the centre with her two daughters Cloe and Emily and her mother Denise Heare.

She said: “We were going swimming and got into our costumes and then we were evacuated and we had to come out practically naked. It is a bit scary, especially after what happened in Manchester.

“You just don’t know what’s going to happen.

Her mother is diabetic and Coffee Thirst on Commercial Street gave them shelter and food while the incident was dealt with.

Ms Hughes added: “My mum was upstairs waiting for me and I was worried about her safety and I didn’t know where she was, but she was OK.”