Armed police have arrested a 30-year-old after reports of a man being in possession of an axe in Carlisle city centre.

A 30-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of affray outside the Subway fast food restaurant on Shaddongate, and is currently in police custody.

Nobody was harmed in the incident.

Three police vans and a police car were called shortly before 2pm today (February 25) to reports of a man in possession of an axe on Bank Street in the city centre.

"Police came about 10 minutes ago and I saw all the commotion," said one eye witness.

"Everybody came in and somebody was arrested by Subway."

Other eye witnesses recalled seeing a man being handcuffed and bundled into the back of a police van.

Carolyn Smith, 57, who lives nearby in Denton Holme, was eating some lunch inside Subway when she witnessed the arrival of armed police.

"We saw two vans that van there and a car.

"It's not safe in Carlisle anymore, that's why I don't go out very far.

"We just came for something to eat.

Anyone with information on this incident who has yet to come forward is urged to do so.

Contact police on 101, email 101@cumbria.police.uk, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting log 103 of February 25.