Sedgley road is closed in gun alarm

Armed police sealed off roads, closed businesses and ordered residents to stay in their homes as they hunted for a man seen wielding a handgun.

Sedgley was partially shut down after a passer-by raised the alarm of a man carrying the weapon while walking along Priory Lane, just metres from the police station.

A 23-year-old man was arrested 40 minutes later in Vicar Street after police searched nearby roads.

Vicar Street, Priory Lane, The Priory, and Gospel End Street were all closed for about an hour from 3.30pm yesterday.

Drinkers fled from The Seven Stars pub in Gospel End Street after bosses were told to shut for two hours while the man was still thought to be on the loose.

West Midlands Police had originally believed the weapon was real but testing revealed it was a gas-powered BB gun.