A MAN arrested after an armed police siege in a North-East street yesterday was still being questioned last night.

The 39-year-old, who has not been named, was overpowered in a house in Scott Street, Shildon, County Durham, early yesterday after a stand-off lasting several hours.

Officers were alerted by a report of a domestic incident at the house shortly before 8pm on Thursday.

They had information suggesting that a man in the house may have access to a gun, and sealed off the street while negotiators tried to persuade him to leave.

A police spokesman said: "It was soon established there was only one occupant of the house, a 39-year-old local man.

"Despite repeated attempts he refused to co-operate and a stand-off then developed.

"Shortly after midnight the situation was resolved when officers and police dogs entered the house through the unlocked front door and found the man in an upstairs bedroom.

"He was quickly overpowered and arrested on suspicion of two assaults on a female and was subsequently also arrested on suspicion of a firearms-related offence.

"He is being held at Bishop Auckland police station and, at this stage, no charges have been brought."

"No firearm was found in the house but a shotgun cartridge was recovered from inside the building. Inquiries are continuing."