POLICE were called to a Blackburn hospital after reports that a man armed with a handgun was in the building.

The alarm was raised when the man, who was believed to have the gun in his pocket, was seen at Blackburn Infirmary at about 4pm yesterday.

Police said the man had left the area by the time they were called, and their inquiries later took them to Accrington and Great Harwood.

Police cars were also called to the Boulevard in Blackburn town centre during the search for the man.

A local man in his 30s was arrested in Rishton yesterday evening and later released without charge.

Inspector Graham Ashcroft said a weapon had been recovered, but was found to be an imitation. It is being kept by police.