A PUB was evacuated after a man was spotted with what was later confirmed to be a BB gun.

A 37-year-old man has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm following the incident at the pub on Goodramgate in York at 5.50pm on Friday.

A member of the public reported seeing a man with a firearm. Police, including firearms officers, attended and arrested the suspect at the scene.

After carrying out enquiries, officers established the weapon involved was a sporting air pistol, which uses compressed air to shoot pellets.

Inspector Jonathan Asvadi, of York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We’d like to thank the members of the public who had the diligence to report this to the police.

“It was absolutely the right thing to do and we’d always encourage people who see anything suspicious, especially if it may involve a weapon, to report it to us immediately.

“After making further enquiries, we now know that this was an air pistol and we do not believe it was used in a threatening manner.

“However, clearly it caused alarm and a very rapid police response.

“When responding to reports such as this our first and foremost priority is to ensure the public stay safe at all times.”

The man, who is from the York area, has been charged and released on police bail. He is due to appear before York Magistrates Court in April.