ARMED police were scrambled to a Bolton estate to reports of a man with a gun — but found three students filming a 'comedy documentary' with a realistic imitation pistol.

Specialist firearms officers were dispatched to Thornbank North, off Fern Street, Deane, at 1pm today.

The trio who sparked the alert were using the collection of flats and houses as the backdrop of their amateur movie.

They had been there an hour before being shocked by armed officers who pulled up in three police cars and at least one unmarked vehicle.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: "It was three youths, about 18 years old.

"They had a camera on a tripod set on a low wall and one of them was filming.

"They were stood there with what was clearly a plastic gun.

"One was walking along and the third guy was hidden round the corner from him as if he was ready to ambush him with the gun.

"He then came out from behind the wall and pretended to confront him. They were filming the same scene over and over.

"I said to my friend 'wouldn't it be funny if the armed police turned up?'

"And then they did. They took the gun off the youths and I saw one officer in a cap put it in the back of an unarmed police car.

"I fully understand the police have to be careful in this day and age."

The armed officers spoke to the three filmmakers and checked their story and the toy handgun before leaving.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called at just before 12.15pm to reports a man had been seen with a gun outside a block of flats in Blackshaw Lane.

"Armed officers attended and they have found this group. It was actually students in their 20s filming a comedy documentary using a BB gun.

"They were spoken to by officers but no offences had been committed."

The police said anyone filming with a toy gun or BB gun or similar can contact local officers to inform them of their plans.

Are you the student 'gunman'? Get in touch on 01204 537249 or email ian.proctor@nqnw.co.uk