Busy shopping centre evacuated

A busy Toowoomba Shopping Centre has been evacuated, after the bomb squad was called in to investigate a suspicious device.

The strange item was found at the shopping strip at the intersection of Tor and Hogg Streets in Wilsonton Heights at around 5.20am local time according to 9 News.

Nearby homes and businesses have been evacuated.

Specialist police are at the scene and are assessing the situation.