ARMED police officers sealed off an east Durham street yesterday after reports of a man waving a handgun.

Officers received a report of a gunman shouting in the Gray Avenue area of Hesleden, at about 11am.

Police, some of them armed, arrived at the scene, and after establishing the man had gone inside a house, mounted what they described as a "containment operation''.

Shortly after midday, a man in his 60s came out into the street and was arrested.

He was taken to Peterlee police station for questioning, and inquiries continued throughout the day.

A later search of a home in Gray Avenue resulted in the discovery of three airguns.

Easington divisional commander, Superintendent Alan Saddler, warned about the dangers of waving any type of gun in a public place.