LAMBTON Quay came to a standstill today as police and fire fighters investigated a bomb scare at HSBC, but the suspicious parcel turned out to be a forgotten suitcase.

The owner of the suitcase which was left in a car park next to the HSBC building came forward this evening.

Dozens of people were left waiting for their buses as traffic was diverted and sections of Lambton Quay and Panama Street were closed off.

Wellington Fire Service senior station officer Rex Verry said they had been there for about an hour dealing with the suspicious package.

Dogs were called in and a bystander said he watched a man in bomb squad gear arrive.

Police and firefighters began to disband at about 5.30pm.