POLICE have confirmed they are investigating a firearms incident which has led to a road closure on a busy County Durham road.
A Durham Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to a suspected firearms incident at 12.30pm yesterday afternoon (May 18) on Watling Street, Leadgate, near Consett.
"A road closure has been put in place between Medomsley Edge crossroads and the former detention centre as well as a section of Watling Street in nearby Leadgate.
"They are expected to remain closed for some time.
"Officers are currently carrying out a number of enquires and an investigation is underway."
Many cars, unaware of the closure, are still coming down the B6309 and are having to turn around and find another route.
The closure near the entrance to the Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre, is about a mile from Leadgate.
The road carries traffic down to the A694.
Read more: Medomsley police incident: The diversion routes to avoid B6309
A police helicopter could be heard hovering nearby for about an hour in the morning. It is not clear whether this had anything to do with the Leadgate incident.
The North East Ambulance Service said it had not been called to the Leadgate/Medomsley incident.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here