ARMED police staged a dramatic four hour stand-off at a house - only to find out it was empty.

Dozens of police officers, including the armed response unit, targeted the bungalow on Etherley Close, Stockton, at about 6.30pm on Sunday following reports of a man wielding an axe at a nearby property.

The siege lasted for more than four hours, with officers using neighbouring gardens to surround the home.

But when they finally gained entry, no one was inside.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Ward Close in the town centre on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

Neighbour Peter Crawford said: "There was a hell of a lot of police around. They had all the riot gear with them.

"They asked if they could go into the back garden."

He added: "It turned out (the man) wasn't in. The door wasn't even locked."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Officers, including armed response police, attended the area and a search took place including a house in Etherley Close.

"We received a further call at 11.30pm reporting the man in question was in the Dixon Street area and officers attended immediately.

"The 38-year-old was arrested on Ward Close on suspicion of affray and of possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in police custody."