EARLY-MORNING shoppers were startled today - Tuesday - when a "booming" siren was heard going off in Newport city centre.

An alarm and speaker announcement was played at loud volumes around the Friars Walk shopping centre shortly before 9am.

"There was a booming announcement saying 'Friars Walk is being evacuated,'" one eyewitness told the Argus.

"It was extremely loud and was echoing around John Frost Square."

The centre management later confirmed the commotion was a standard fire evacuation drill for its tenants.

Another drill will be held on Wednesday at 8.45am.