ARMED response units descended on a Darwen street after a 'firearms sighting' was reported to police.

Police confirmed that firearms officers were called to Newton Street, at around 10pm last night, after reports a man had possibly been seen with a firearm. 

But following an hour-long search of the area and of one property, no trace could be found of the man described or of any weapon. 

Firearms officers were stood down at around 11.20pm. 

Residents spoke of their alarm after reporting several police cars and a police helicopter had attended the scene.

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One resident said: "Someone rang the police saying there was someone with a gun, so the armed police came and smashed a door in.

"There was no one with a gun so it was a false alarm."

Another resident added: "I saw about 20 armed police officers blocking off the alleyways of Newton Street and Perry Street.

"You couldn't get down Newton Street. They went through the door of a house."

A police spokesman said: "We received at 10.05pm on Sunday reporting that a man had possibly been seen with a firearm in Newton Street, Darwen.

"Firearms officers attended the scene, but following a search of the area and of a property, no trace of the man described or any weapon could be found.

"Officers were stood down at around 11.20pm.

"No arrests were made."