PART of Southampton city centre was closed off this morning after a man doused himself in fuel and threatened to set himself alight.

Police were called to Guildhall Square outside the civic centre at 11.40am by a worried member of the public who said the man had poured fuel on himself.

He was seen carrying a green petrol can but had put a cigarette in his mouth.

Officers arrived at the scene and called police and fire crews to assist.

West Marlands Road was subsequently closed off while police talked to the man to calm him down.

The road was eventually reopened at 12.25pm when the man was detained by officers and the cordon was removed.