A MAN has been arrested after making threats to city centre staff and claiming he had a gun in his possession.

The man told a member of staff who works at a store in Carlisle that he had a gun and was heavily under the influence.

Staff quickly passed the information to security and he was restrained onto the floor.

Armed police were quickly on scene and arrested the male, no gun was found in his possession but staff had to act robustly as the shop was full of customers and children at the time.

A spokesman for Carlisle Business Crime Awareness said: "I would like to thank the partnership team who dealt with this incident putting themselves into what could have been a very serious incident to protect others and the very quick response of Carlisle’s armed police.

"The male has now been arrested and there is no risk to life."