A 52-YEAR-OLD man was due to be questioned by police today following a five-hour siege at a flat in the centre of Accrington.

Police were called to the home in St James Street at lunchtime yesterday following reports of a domestic dispute.

A 34-year-old woman Amanda Orford was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with what appeared to be stab wounds.

A man, who has not been named, then locked himself in the premises.

The siege caused major disruption to residents and office workers as police sealed off parts of the town centre, including St James Street, Paradise Street and Cannon Street.

Police marksmen and dog handlers surrounded the flat before a man was carried out of the building at 5pm.

Office workers were told to stay inside buildings and keep away from windows, and staff returning from lunch were not allowed through the police cordon.

Parents were unable to collect their children from First Step Nursery in Cannon Street, but arrangements were made for them to cut through the library and down a fire escape into the back of the nursery to pick youngsters up. Police said the siege ended when negotiators persuaded a man to leave the building.

Residents were eventually allowed back into their homes at teatime but refused to speak about the incident.

Superintendent Eddie Walsh described the siege as an extremely difficult and tense operation.

"It was successful thanks to the professionalism shown by my officers, who had to work in very difficult circumstances and unaware if the man was armed or not," he said.

"I am grateful to the people who live and work in and around St James Street.

"Their lives were considerably disrupted and they were very patient and helpful."

Inspector Stephen Lee, of Accrington police, said: "We brought in extra resources and put a containment on to keep people out of the area for their own safety."

Injured woman Amanda Orford is understood to have left hospital and is staying at a secret address.

Police were hoping to speak to her today.

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