POLICE had to Taser a man carrying a knife in Bolton town centre yesterday afternoon.

Officers were called around 12:25pm to reports that there was a man was in Victoria Square with a knife.

A large group of police were seen dealing with the man, who was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a knife.

A bystander said they saw around a dozen police officers running to the incident, apprehending the man with a knife close on the floor next to him, before they were escorted to a police van.

John Quinlan, 51, from Horwich, saw the incident, saying: "It was right in the town centre next to the cenotaph.

"There was a lady on the floor too but that was because she fainted due to the incident.

"The man with the knife was Tasered and you could see the wires in his back.

"There was no blood on the knife we could see about a dozen officers. He was escorted to a van after a thorough search.

"It must have really frightened that poor lady who fainted."

The Bolton News:

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman, said: "Police were called to Victoria Square, Bolton, at about 12.25pm on Wednesday, April 7, to reports a man had a knife.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion for affray and possession of a bladed article.

"A Taser was deployed to maintain the safety of all involved."