ARMED police sur-rounded a house for four hours after a man claimed he had a crossbow and had just taken a drugs overdose.

Andrew Nixon was arrested after an armed siege at his home in Scarborough Road, Whinny Heights, Blackburn.

The siege, captured on film by an Evening Telegraph reader, ended when the man fell asleep in the living room.

Police said armed officers surrounded the house after receiving a phone call at 12.30pm on Saturday from a man who told them he was trying to kill himself and didn't want to be disturbed.

Insp Dave Mangan, of Blackburn police, said: "He told us he was in possession of a crossbow, had taken a drugs overdose and was going to die.

"He said he didn't want police to stop him.

"Trained negotiators went to the scene and spoke to him over the phone at length.

"He became more and more drowsy and then the phone went dead.

"We became concerned about his safety, so after assessing the safety of the scene, armed officers took a look through the window and found him asleep in the front room.

"He was woken up and arrested.

"At no point did he threaten police officers or the public.

We told people in nearby households to stay indoors during the incident."

Officers said he had taken a large amount of prescription drugs and alcohol and had knocked himself out.

A crossbow and an air rife were recovered from the house.

After the siege ended, at 4.50pm, a man was taken to Blackburn Infirmary for treatment for his overdose.

He was discharged from hospital yesterday and was taken to Blackburn police station for questioning.

Mr Nixon, described by police as in his 40s, was released without charge but cautioned for possessing a weapon with intent to cause fear of violence.

A Scarborough Road resident said: "I saw the first police car arrive at the bottom of the road and I thought it was strange that it blocked the entrance to the street.

"Then two more cars arrived with armed police and they started telling people to stay indoors.

"I just started to film it on my video camera because I could tell something serious was happening.

"He's normally such a quiet man."