LONDON (AFP) - London's Luton Airport was evacuated on Monday after a suspicious package was found in the passenger security checks area, a spokesman said.

A spokesman from the airport, the fifth-largest in Britain, told AFP the evacuation was sparked by the discovery of a "suspicious item found in the security search area", adding that the entire terminal building had been emptied.

"All incoming flights have been suspended and the approach road to the airport has also been closed," the airport's press office added in a statement. "The decision has been taken with the police to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff.

"Passengers are advised to contact their airlines to establish the status of their flights."

Luton is London's fourth-biggest airport in terms of passenger numbers after Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Total passenger traffic last year was around 9.7 million people.