GUN cops swooped on a house in Darlington after a man barricaded himself in and threatened to blow it up using the gas supply.

Armed officers surrounded the home at 7.50pm last night with a man in his 30s making threats from inside.

Witnesses said he kept turning lights on and off at the property in Stockton Road.

The road was cordoned off and residents forced to evacuate.

Police in anti-terror gear were spotted pointing weapons at the house as they negotiated with the man.

Fire engines and Northern Gas Networks were also at the scene.

A near-by pub took in displaced residents as the siege continued.

Cops eventually entered the house and arrested the man, at around 11.20pm.

Earlier in the evening police bosses said: "Due to an ongoing police incident Stockton Road, Darlington is currently closed.

“We have no estimated time of when this will be reopened however we will keep you updated.

"Please avoid the area where possible.”

Darlington is based in the North east along the A1, 16 miles west of Middlesborough.