Siege man's body found

Armed police have been at the scene

Police in Helston have recovered the body of a man who had been holed up in a Church Hill building for nearly 24 hours.

The 19-year-old naval rating had locked himself in a flat on Wednesday afternoon following an incident involving a Ministry of Defence welfare officer.

The man, a mechanic based at RNAS Culdrose near Helston, was thought to be armed with an air rifle and another unknown firearm.

People living nearby were moved from their homes and schoolchildren were evacuated after the man was seen brandishing what was thought to be a rifle or shotgun at the house.

As a close community all of us at Culdrose are deeply affected by events such as this Captain Mike Knowles

Negotiators had been talking to the man until 0030 GMT on Thursday when there was no further response, despite repeated attempts.

The commanding officer at Culdrose, Captain Mike Knowles, says everyone at the air station has been affected.

"It is with deep regret that we have learned of the death of a naval rating from RNAS Culdrose.

"The full facts surrounding the incident are not yet known.

"Naturally our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this time.

"As a close community all of us at Culdrose are deeply affected by events such as this."