A FOUR-hour rooftop siege has ended peacefully.

It began at 2.30pm today at a row of terraced houses in Clayton-le-Moors after a police chase came to a dramatic end nearby, with three cars — including a police vehicle — left badly damaged.

A police helicopter was called out and numerous officers descended on Brisbane Street, off Whalley Road, as a local man, who is well known to police but cannot be named for legal reasons, climbed up a drainpipe and onto the tiles.

Police and community support officers blocked off neighbouring streets with their vehicles and kept their distance as the man talked to members of his family on the ground.

He remained on the roof until around 6.30pm, when he came down and was driven off in a waiting car.

Police were unable to say whether the man was arrested, and whether the chase and stand-off were linked.

>> See Monday's Lancashire Telegragh for the full story and dramatic pictures.