ARMED officers descended on Winwick on Friday over fears surrounding a gunman.

The alarm was raised at 1.30pm after officers were contacted by a concerned member of the public.

The witness reported seeing a man armed with a rifle near to Hollins Park Hospital.

Officers from the Firearms Alliance were dispatched to the scene on Hollins Lane.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "The man was quickly located.

"After speaking to the man it was established that he was a licensed gun holder who had permission from the landowner."