A number of shops were closed with police 'everywhere' and schools forced into lockdown procedures following reports of a man with a gun in Wigan on Wednesday (September 17).

Armed officers and a police helicopter swooped in near Gerard Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield town centre after calls reported a suspicious male.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received reports at around 3.15pm about a suspected firearm in the area. Local schools, including Byrchall High School, on Warrington Road, were put into lockdown measures as a precaution.

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Pictures showed a number of armed police vehicles lining Gerard Street, with police also in attendance in the car park for the Gerard C

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