DOZENS of revellers were evacuated from a pub after an “unknown substance” left customers struggling to breath.

The incident saw emergency services descend on the scene and immediately evacuate a number of bars in Stockton town centre on Saturday night.

Staff at the Dr Inks cocktail bar made the decision to get everyone outside of the venue, off the High Street, at 10.30pm after around 40 people inside the bar began coughing.

Cleveland Police cordoned off the scene for around three hours, with Cleveland Fire Brigade and the North East Ambulance Service also being called to the scene.

No one required hospital treatment following the incident and the pub was re-opened in the early hours of Sunday morning, with the police cordon also removed.

The owner of Dr Inks, John Taylor, published a statement on the venue’s Facebook page on Sunday morning.

He said: “On Saturday at approximately 10.30pm an unknown substance was discharged within Dr Inks, it caused several customers to cough and my team immediately evacuated the premise and called emergency services.

“The evacuation was conducted in an orderly manner and as a precautionary measure nearby bars were also evacuated.

“We we’re given the all clear to return to the venue just after 01.30am.

“I would like to thank the emergency services for such a rapid response.”