Armed police were called into action yesterday after a man was 'seen with a gun' near B&Q in Nursling.

At around 3.45pm yesterday Hampshire police received a report that a man was seen with a firearm on Franconia Drive, Nursling, near to the hardware store.

Despite initial reports to police that the man was in possession of a gun, officers later found out that a 41-year-old man was carrying an imitation firearm.

He was arrested as a result of the incident.

One resident that witnessed police descend on Franconia Drive said: “I was working in the area at the time and wondered why the area had been shut by police.

“I was shocked at the large amount of police presence.

“It was like the area had been turned into the set of a Hollywood movie – I almost forgot I was Nursling.”

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Hampshire police said that currently the 41-year-old remains in police custody.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at 3.49pm on Tuesday 29 October to an initial report that a man had been seen with a firearm in Franconia Drive, Nursling.

“Due to the nature of the report, armed officers attended the scene.

“On arrival, officers spoke to a man and he was later arrested.

“No viable firearm was found, and there was no wider risk to the public during this incident.

“The 41-year-old man from the Romsey area was arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and causing wasteful employment of police.

“He is currently in police custody.”