Armed police have been called to Beccles after a man was seen with a gun this morning.

Officers were called at around 10.10am today after members of the public reported seeing the man near The Common.

The gunman was then seen to put what is described as a 'pistol' into his coat and walked away towards Boney's Island.

Armed response officers, assisted by the police dog and helicopter units are currently searching the area.

The man is described as being white, aged around 25, approximately 5ft 9in tall, of average build and he was wearing a black jacket.

A witness who gave his name as Dan, who works nearby, said: 'It was about 10am. I went into the warehouse and some police turned up. Within 10 minutes there were another eight turned up.

'They just parked in our lorry turning circle. The all got their armed gear on, and dogs out, and they went over to Beccles Common.

'Obviously the other police cars came up, including undercover ones.

'In the end there were five paramedic cars and about 15 police cars. Over half of them were armed. I don't really know what happened.

'It's quite different for Beccles. It's a quiet little town.'

He said the police left at about 12.30pm.

It is the second day that armed officers have been called to an incident in the Suffolk market town.

Yesterday morning, officers responded to calls that a man armed with a gun had been seen in the town's Smallgate area behind the NatWest bank.

It is not known at this stage if the incidents are connected.

Mayor of Beccles Hugh Taylor said: 'There is concern. People are concerned and they don't know what's happening.

'There was a part of The Common which was sectioned off and police outside the bank so there is concern.

'I have had people saying to me that they would like a bit more information about what is happening, particularly in relation to shopkeepers and whether they need to raise security levels.'

The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the town's Shop Watch scheme on Wednesday evening.