POLICE surrounded a flat in Ashton Road, Darwen, last night after residents reported they thought they had heard gun shots.

Worried neighbours called police at 10pm, who were already attending a call in the flat below.

Officers left after residents in the houses behind the flats told them they thought the noise had been made by someone using fireworks.

Sergeant Mark Sharples, force incident manager for Blackburn Police, said: "We take any report of firearms seriously but this turned out to be something and nothing.

"I am sure all the police and police dogs will have looked quite a spectacle. But residents can be reassured that there is nothing to be concerned about."