Armed siege in seaside town

Armed police are at the scene

Armed police and trained negotiators have surrounded a house in Somerset after an man barricaded himself inside.

Officers were called to the property in Oxford Street in Burnham-on-Sea, at about 0800 BST on Monday following reports of a man seen wielding a machete.

It is thought that the 40-year-old is angry at plans to build a supermarket near his home, and has fallen out with the local council over rubbish in his front garden.

An elderly woman, believed to be the man's mother, is also inside the house, but it is not thought that she has been taken hostage.

There is no Compulsory Purchase Order on the property Sedgmoor District Council

Between 20 and 30 police officers are at the scene and Oxford St, Cross Street and Adam Street have all been cordoned off.

Inspector Nigel Tinsley, from Avon and Somerset Police, added: "We are talking to the people inside and trying to get them out safely.

"Everything appears calm at this time."

In a statement, Sedgmoor District Council added: "We have been in contact with the owner regarding the amount of articles in the gardens.

"The case has been on-going since the mid-1990s. The Council has cleared the land during that time but the problem has recurred.

"There is no Compulsory Purchase Order on the property."