A MAJOR security alert was sparked last night when a man claimed a gunman was holding a weapon to his head.

He telephoned Darwen police station shortly after 10pm from a house in the Woodvale area.

He said a man armed with a pistol and knife was was holding a shotgun to his head.

Firearms officers were called to the scene and a number of men were asked to leave the property.

A search found no sign of weapons and man in his 40s was arrested, He was being questioned by police today.

Inspector Stephen Haworth, of Blackburn police, said: "We are very concerned about the obvious danger caused by this call."

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