Police end Australia hotel siege

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's most popular tourist spots

A man who barricaded himself in a hotel room on Australia's Gold Coast has surrendered after a 16-hour stand-off.

Police were called to the Grand Hotel in the Gold Coast town of Labrador at about 1800 (0800 GMT) on Thursday after a woman said she was hit in his room.

The 43-year-old man reportedly threatened to blow up the hotel and said he had taken hostages.

However, police said no-one was being held although they found a small amount of "potentially explosive material".

"Police confirm there were no hostages inside the room," a Queensland state police statement said. "There were a number of devices inside the room."

A raid of the suspect's home earlier convinced police officers he was capable of making a home-made bomb, the BBC's Phil Mercer said.

Guests were ordered out of the hotel and nearby roads were closed as negotiations continued with the man for several hours.

Court appearance

Police said the door of his room on the upper floors of the high-rise hotel had been sealed shut, possibly with nails and a sealant.

The man checked into the hotel on 18 December.

He had telephoned a number of services from his room and the woman had arrived as requested, said Queensland state police Inspector Rick Wall.

The woman told the hotel's front desk the man had hit her on the head before she escaped from his room.

It is still unclear what grievances the man had, our correspondent says.

The suspect is due to appear before magistrates in coming days.