Armed police descended on a Caerphilly housing estate on Saturday after reports of a man wandering the streets with a loaded gun.

Police were called to the Van Community Centre, in Clos Guto, Lansbury Park, at 3.50pm and reportedly closed off Bedwas Road.

There were local reports that a woman had been shot after being taken hostage at Van Community Centre. A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said that no-one had been injured and there had been no reports of a gun being fired. She confirmed that a hostage situation did not take place and that a firearm had been seized.

A 54-year-old local man was arrested and charged with being in possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of a loaded/unloaded firearm and suitable ammunition in a public place.

Police said the man was remanded in custody by Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court and will appear before Newport Crown Court on December 2.