COLLEGE students using a toy gun while making a film sparked a major armed police alert.

Police marksmen, together with the force helicopter and other officers, were called to Barrowford after the alarm was raised by a passer-by who spotted three youths, one with a gun tucked into the belt of his trousers.

Checkpoints were set up in the village and it was only when police spoke to the teenagers that they found the gun was a toy being used as part of a media exercise by college students who were filming a scene.

Inspector Paul Robinson said: "We received a phone call to say that three men wearing suits and sunglasses were in Bank Fold, Barrowford.

"One of the men appeared to have a black pistol with a brown handle tucked into the belt of his trousers. An hour later three students were found with a toy gun. They were making a film as part of a media project.

"We are satisfied the call was made with good intent and we would not want to discourage people from calling us if they are concerned about any suspicious behaviour.

"If people are undertaking some kind of filming project which involves imitation firearms they should contact the police."

In an unconnected suspected firearms incident shortly afterwards, armed officers were called to Crawshawbooth, Rossendale, after a woman reported seeing two men jumping over a farm wall with what appeared to be a gun. The men were eventually found in Corporation Street. A search failed to uncover any weapon. Three local men were arrested on suspicion of other offences, not connected to firearms, and were given police bail.

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