ARMED officers were involved in a three-hour siege after a man threatenend to shoot and stab police and fire crews following a row over a bonfire.

Today neighbours in Brownlow Street, Clitheroe, spoke of their shock and said there had been on-going problems in the area .

A 39-year-old man was arrested at 3.15am and will today be questioned in relation to public order offences.

The incident began when fire crews were called to a house at 11.15pm following reports that a "huge" bonfire had been lit in the yard.

Firefighters said that they believed the fire was unsafe and put it out.

But a second call was made by neighbours just before midnight saying that a man was putting more wood on the fire and attempting to relight it.

Inspector Andy Hill said: "We were asked to accompany the fire crews on their second visit as this man was obviously unhappy at being asked to put his fire out but when we got there he pulled a knife on the officers and threatened them with it.

"He then retreated into the house and said he had a gun in there with him and that he would shoot us and anyone who was passing.

"Firearms officers were called to the property and put on standby while a police negotiator tried to calm him down.

"This man has caused a lot of problems for neighbours.

"The fire he had created was too big for the small yard, which is surrounded by a six-foot wall and could have quite easily spread to the house or indeed to neighbouring homes.

"It would seem that this incident is just the culmination of his anti-social behaviour since moving into the home."

Neighbours described hearing a commotion at the house at about 10.30pm. Marie Lahdiri, 48, said: "For the last three weeks there has been non stop garage music coming from the house. I don't know what the problem has been. I think the two neighbours either side of his house are moving because of him. Last night I was just going to bed when I heard the music start. I looked out of my window and someone was lighting a fire.

"A man threatened the police with a hammer and kept saying he had a gun.

"He told the fire brigade 'you can earn your money now' and he said 'if you put it out I'll light it again in half an hour'."

Another neighbour, who lives in adjacent Littlemoor Road, said: "There were a lot of police and fire brigade around and I think I saw a couple of armed officers and some had riot shields.

"I think they broke in. I heard loads of barking and they all piled in through the front door then a man was taken out."