A MAJOR emergency alert was sparked after reports of ammonia being thrown in people's faces in Port Glasgow town centre.

A large police presence and several ambulances rushed to the scene outside the Spar shop and the Bladez Turkish Barbour premises in Princes Street on Friday afternoon.

Officers were called following reports of a man throwing liquid in the faces of passers-by, with eyewitnesses claiming it was hazardous ammonia, which can cause serious tissue damage and skin burns.

It happened just outside the convenience store, which was taped off following the incident as police carried out investigations.

An eyewitness said customers were locked inside the shop until given the all-clear and that a beautician rushed out to help one of the victims by spraying them with water.

It is not known how many people were affected or if anyone was seriously injured.

Another eyewitness told the Tele: "Someone was sprayed with something, I think it was ammonia.

"It's absolutely shocking."

A man who had been in a nearby pub said: "I was in the pub having a drink and when I came outside I was shocked to see police everywhere."

Uniformed officers and detectives were at the scene taking statements and investigations are under way to establish what the liquid was and trace the person responsible.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police attended reports of a man in Princes Street throwing liquid at members of the public.

"Emergency services attended.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Princes Street remained open during the incident but a police cordon was established on the pavement to allow investigations to be carried out.

Two people have now been arrested in connection with the alleged incident.