Man charged over 'armed' threat

A man has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence after a gun was pointed at staff and patients in a hospital.

Police were called to Rochdale Infirmary, in Greater Manchester, after reports that a masked man had been seen with an air rifle on Monday afternoon.

Scott Charlton, 31, of Bellshill Crescent, Belfield, will appear before Rochdale magistrates on Thursday.

The weapon was not fired and no-one was injured, police said.

The incident happened in the reception area of the hospital's Accident and Emergency unit at about 1350 GMT.