A MAN was arrested after an a seven-hour stand off with police on the roof of a former pub.

Officers said the man had been on the roof of the old Snuffy's Bar in Commercial Road, Great Harwood since 5am today. 

Police and negotiators, along with riot officers and a police dog attended the scene.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service drone and an aerial ladder platform were also used in an attempt to get the man down. 

UPDATE: Man charged over 7-hour rooftop stand-off

Buses had to be diverted and people were urged to avoid the area all morning.

Temporary road closures were also in place between Game Street and Blackburn Road and Blackburn and Delph Road including the ginnels to stop pedestrians. 

All road closures have since been lifted. 

The man was eventually safely detained and arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and burglary at around 12.30pm.

Nobody was injured during the incident. 

Damage was sustained to the property where the man had taken refuge and this is now subject to a further investigation which will be led by the CID. 

Police said: "Great work from everyone involved in bringing a wanted man down from the roof of the old Snuffy's Bar in Gt Harwood this morning.

"With a bit of help from our colleagues at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, an aerial platform, a taser and some highly skilled negotiators, the man has been now been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and burglary.

"It's been a challenging morning with teams from immediate response, support units, dog unit and NWAS working together, but the incident has now been resolved without any injury to members of the public or the officers involved.

"The roads are now reopened - huge thanks to everyone involved."

Eyewitnesses said police helicopters were tracking the man at 5am.

An eyewitness who did not wish to be named said: “It is a nuisance.

”I opened my window to let some air in and heard the chopper (helicopter) was flying so low overhead.

"This is an odd incident but nothing really happens like this around here.

"It is a friendly place.”

Cllr Noordad Aziz said: “It is a massive hindrance and waste of police resources. 

“But obviously the safety of the public is paramount.”