A SEVEN-HOUR terror stand-off ended when a suspected bomber was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Saltburn seafront was cordoned off while armed officers surrounded the woman, who was seen with a backpack on her back acting suspiciously.

Specialist police and fire officers were joined by Army bomb disposal experts while the danger was assessed.

The woman was surrounded for several hours by armed officers with their weapons trained on her while negotiators tried to talk with her.

It emerged last night that the authorities were alerted by a member of the public, believed to be a hardware shop worker, who became concerned about the bizarre behaviour of a woman who was purchasing suspicious items.

Last night, the district commander of Redcar and Cleveland Police, Superintendent Ciaron Irvine, said it was too early to say exactly what the 40-year-old woman had bought, but it was enough to cause concern.

He said: “There was no connection to any explosives, and there was nothing to suggest that there was any danger to the public, but we had to take the concerns seriously.

There was some concern about the contents of the backpack that she was carrying, but it is a little early to say what they might have been.

“I can confirm that a 40-year-old lady was detained under the Mental Health Act. She has been examined by medical persons and from there she was taken to Kirkleatham police station, where she would be further assessed.”

Witnesses spoke of their shock as the drama unfolded around them just after noon yesterday.

John Scott, who was working inside the amusement arcade on the pier, said: “I saw the police approach the woman and shouted at her, telling her to get on the floor.

“She refused and just took her rucksack off and threw it on the ground. As soon as that happened, she was surrounded by armed police pointing their guns at her.

“The police evacuated all of the other buildings, but for some reason we were left in the arcade for three hours.”

Arcade owner Grant Seldon said: “I could not believe what was going on. All I heard was a lot of shouting and police officers everywhere.

“I saw the woman laid on the floor surrounded by officers. It was all very surreal.”

Michala Rookes, manager of The Little Big Shop, said: “The police came into the shop and told us we had to get out immediately because there was a major incident.

“I didn’t have time to lock up, I just pulled down the shutters and got out as quickly as possible.

“We were escorted past the woman, but we had no idea what was going on.”

Glenn Reardon, who was about to go surfing, said: “I was getting changed ready to go surfing when a load of police vehicles arrived.

“I didn’t know what was going on, but everybody was being told to get in their cars and move.”

Gemma Morris said: “I was walking on the pier when it all started.

I didn’t really know what was happening, I just heard a lot of commotion and people shouting.

“As we walked off the pier I saw what looked like a woman laid on the floor with loads of police around her.”

Last night, the woman’s health was being assessed before any decision could be made on whether she would be charged.

Supt Irvine said: “There will be things said in the area about what happened, but I should take this opportunity to say there is nothing for the people of Saltburn and the neighbouring areas to be concerned about.”