Armed siege at travel exchange

Hostage negotiators are trying to speak to the man

Armed police have surrounded an office building in central London.

An armed man is believed to be holding a female member of staff hostage at the American Express travel exchange.

Scotland Yard say they were called to the building in The Haymarket just after 1000 BST after reports of a man of middle-eastern appearance attempting a robbery.

The area has been sealed off and hostage negotiators are currently trying to speak to the man.

'Sealed off'

A spokesperson from American Express said they believed there was one member of staff left in the building with the gunman.

The incident is causing widespread traffic disruption in central London.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "At 1011 BST police were called to American Express in the Haymarket to reports of a man with a gun.

"Officers have attended and the Haymarket has been sealed off.

"It is not yet clear whether he is holding a real gun or not."

Officers are trying to confirm the man's identity.

The police were notified when a panic alarm was triggered inside the building by a staff member.