Police quiz man after factory siege

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Bomb squad officers and dozens of emergency crews were called to the Alfred Knight metal works in St Helens after a man acting suspiciously entered the premises.

Staff fled the factory - a converted house in suburban Merseyside - and employees from neighbouring businesses and people who live nearby were also evacuated.

The man, who is believed to be from central Africa, surrendered to police following negotiations.

Police said the 35-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and making threats to kill, released the three people within an hour. The three hostages were not harmed during the incident.

Earlier in the day, Gaynor Tomlinson, who lives near the scene, said a policeman outside her house told her the suspect entered the works with explosives "strapped to his back".

Superintendent Peter Edge said the man was contained in the building and trained negotiators were called in to speak to him "in respect of his intentions".

No-one was injured during the incident, although some residents were evacuated to a nearby college.