ARMED response officers were called to Chorley town centre this morning after a man was seen carrying a crossbow.

One man has been arrested and the weapon has been recovered.

Eaves Lane, from the Bretherton Arms pub, was closed to the public as officers dealt with the incident.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 06:43 hours to reports a man had been seen carrying a crossbow on Eaves Lane in Chorley.

"Police, including armed response officers, attended and a man has been arrested in connection with the incident."

Several police vehicles were parked on Rivington road and outside the Fosterfield Day Care Centre.

Alex Joyce, who lives on the street, said: “I woke up at 7.20am and there were about 20 police cars blocking the road off and others were in the car park at the Fosterfield centre.

“We don’t normally see things like this on Eaves Lane.

“I was ok about it but my wife was a bit worried.”

David Parkinson, 36, said: “I got up to make a brew and looked out the window and police had blocked the street off.

“There were vans everywhere.

“A person came out from the back of a house and there were lots of police dogs searching the back garden for the weapon.

“It has been a bit of an exciting morning.”