A 24-year-old Hampshire woman has been rescued by armed police from an industrial unit.

Officers with shields and wearing helmets entered a unit on Silver Business Park, in Somerford, near Christchurch at 5.30am after a report that a woman was being held against her will in a unit there.

Police say the woman, who comes from New Milton in the New Forest, had gone to the unit voluntarily but once inside was allegedly held against her will. A 54-year-old man from Verwood has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment.

A sign on the unit says it is being used by Bramshaw Bespoke Vehicles Ltd, although the company says it was only renting the unit and stopped doing so more than a year ago.

Witness Warren Marks told the Daily Echo: “I got here just before 8am and there were five police cars and an ambulance.

“I was told that a girl had been kidnapped and kept in that unit.

“Police had to break into the unit. The girl was in a police car and then taken into an ambulance.

“She was in a distressed state and looked to be in her early-20s.

“She was dressed up like she had been on a night out.”

One police car is still at the unit.

Ian Payne, who works at TMB Systems opposite the scene, said: “I arrived for work at about 7.30am and there was a man handcuffed.

“The girl had run across the car park shouting that he was armed.”

Phil Smith, who also works nearby, said: “I arrived at 7.30am and there were police cars here.

“There was a guy from a water delivery van who was hiding behind his van because police told him to get down.

“I got shouted at by the police to get into the building.”

A police spokesman said: "At around 5.30am this morning, Thursday 20 June 2013, Dorset Police received a report of a concern for welfare with a woman allegedly being held against her will at an industrial estate along Somerford Road in Christchurch.

"Officers accompanied by armed police attended the location. A 24-year-old woman from New Milton was located at the premises. She was uninjured."

Detective Sergeant Andy Bell, of Dorset Police CID, said: “I understand that the woman attended the address and once inside was allegedly held against her will.

“The victim has been visibly shocked and upset by this incident. If anyone has information about the address, I urge them to come forward in confidence. I am also appealing for any witnesses to this incident.”

A 54-year-old man from Verwood has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and is currently helping police with their enquiries.