Man due in court after being charged with having gun 'with intent to cause fear of violence'

Luke Richards, 26, of Cromwell Road, North Shore, is due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court later this afternoon, a court official said.

Armed police were called to Cromwell Road yesterday morning after a man was seen brandishing a handgun in the street.

People fled in a panic and the nearby Westminster Primary Academy went into lock-down at around 9am.

Around 350 children were unaware of the drama unfolding outside as staff locked the front door and put into practice a well-versed emergency plan.