ARMED police were among a full-scale emergency response team activated when a man was seen outside a Blackburn children's centre "armed" with two guns

Blackburn magistrates heard that children at a nursery at Shadsworth Centre were shepherded to the rear of the building.

Shutters were lowered as staff waited for police to secure the area and arrest Romesh Hira.

The court was told a male member of staff went and sat with the 41-year-old father of two, who was inhaling lighter fuel, in an attempt to keep the situation calm and prevent him entering the centre.

And Kevin Mott, who previously worked as a psychiatric nurse, told the court that he had not considered his personal safety during the incident on October 26.

It ended when Hira was handcuffed and the police recovered two toy guns from his bag.

Hira, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.

He was convicted after a trial and remanded in custody. The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

The court heard that Hira was due to have a supervised access meeting with his two children at the centre at 3pm. But he arrived at 11.30 am and immediately caused staff concern.

Jackie McVitie told the court Hira had approached her. He came within a few inches of her and "hissed" in her face.

Mrs McVitie said she saw what appeared to be a hand gun. "I moved the children and put the shutters down because I perceived it to be a real threat," said Mrs McVitie.

"He had been inhaling lighter fuel and appeared agitated. He was behaving strangely and I felt intimidated by him."

Mr Mott, a family support worker, said the defendant's responses had seemed slow and his behaviour was strange. He said he looked out of the reception window and saw Hira sitting on a bench.

"I could see what appeared to be guns," said Mr Mott. "I said I would go and sit with him and as I walked out he put the items away."

"This man was pushing a lighter fuel can against his teeth and drinking or inhaling it and he was smoking as well," said Mr Mott.

"My thoughts were to keep him in conversation and distract him from coming back into the building."

He said Hira seemed quite happy to sit and talk although some of the conversation was bizarre. "I thought then that he was beginning to hallucinate due to the lighter fuel," said Mr Mott.

Seconds later armed officers approached Hira and he was handcuffed and arrested.

Hira told the court he had bought the toy guns from a £1 shop as a belated birthday present for his son.

He said he had placed them on the bench while he was tidying his bag. He denied being threatening in any way during the incident and claimed he had been polite at all times.