ARMED police were called to an incident yesterday during which a woman was believed to have been held at knifepoint.

The alarm was raised just after 7am by the woman, who was working at Neasham Road News, in Darlington.

A man had entered the newsagent's, close to the Matalan store.

Inspector Alan Watson, of Darlington police, said: "Police were called to the scene at 7.08am to assess the situation and cordon off the area.

"We needed to make the area safe and keep people from the neighbouring properties away. When we arrived, an armed response unit was also dispatched."

In the flat above the shop were a mother and her baby, who police managed to get out safely.

Insp Watson said: "The woman was held for over an hour, but she managed to get away.

"At this stage, we do not know if she escaped or whether he let her go.

"Once the woman was outside the shop, the armed response unit moved in to arrest the man.

"He did not put up a struggle. He had obviously realised the seriousness of the situation and decided to give himself up."

The woman was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Police were last night waiting to interview her.

A man arrested at the scene was last night being questioned at Darlington police station.