SHOPS have been evacuated as Chester fire crews fight a major blaze which has broken out in the Foregate Street area of the city centre this lunchtime (Monday, October 6).

The fire is believed to have affected the area of shops which includes McDonalds, Woolworths and HMV.

Workers and shoppers throughout the city centre were alerted to the incident when black plumes of smoke rose into the sky.

Keep checking The Chronicle website for updates on this story.