THE Armed Response Unit was called in after late-night reports of a man with a gun in Nelson.

Burnley Magistrates heard ex-convict Graeme Foster, 45, was said to have taken the broken and unloaded air weapon out after being confronted by a gang.

He then returned home, loaded the gun and was ready for bed when armed officers turned up.

Foster, who was also found to have six months supply of cannabis at his house, admitted to police the gun incident had been "very silly" but claimed he had not pointed the weapon at anybody.

The defendant, of Cobden Street, Nelson, admitted possessing the air weapon in a public place and possessing nine ounces of cannabis. He was bailed until November 14, for a pre-sentence report.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, told the court a witness watching television heard a commotion outside and saw the defendant holding an air pistol in his hand, with an arm raised as if arguing.

Foster called at another witness's house and said he was fed up with youths but was told to leave it and go home.

The Armed Response Unit was alerted and when police called at Foster's house he was fully co-operative. Officers seized the pistol and ammunition and a nine ounce block of cannabis.

The defendant told police he had been on his way home from the pub when a gang of youths had blocked his way and abused him.

David Leach, defending, said the defendant did not know why he loaded the air weapon once back home as so far as he was concerned that was the end of it.