A 49-year-old man has been charged after an air rifle was allegedly pointed at members of the public in Nelson town centre.

Officers were called at around 10.15am on Tuesday, June 4, to the pedestrianised area between Pendle Rise Shopping Centre and Betfred, to a report of a firearms incident.

It was reported that a man took an air rifle out of a bag and pointed it at people in the area.

A police spokesperson said: "Anyone who saw the man in the area and saw him take the air rifle out of a bag, we ask them to contact police.

"Please call 101 or email 1755@lancashire.police.uk – quoting log 0380 of June 4."

Shizad Rahman, of Kensington Avenue, Manchester, has been charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He has been remanded to appear at Burnley Crown Court on 3rd July.