Police have plunged a small town into lockdown after a man claimed he had a gun and reportedly threatened a daycare centre.

The mayor of Highlands, North Carolina, said a 911 call was made by someone saying they were armed and the Highlands Episcopal Church was "within their line of sight".

According to officials, a second call came in reporting seeing a person that matched the description of the person making the threat. Downtown stores have been asked to close and people asked to avoid the area.

20:10 Tim Hanlon

Where is Highlands and what is it known for

Highlands is an upmarket mountain resort town on the Highlands Plateau in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, known for its scenic beauty, which is why many people have been surprised that it is a location for the shooting threat.

It is known for its outdoor activities with numerous hiking trails and waterfalls, such as Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Glen Falls.

The area is also popular for fishing in the Cullasaja River and nearby lakes, and includes opportunities for gem mining, zip-lining, and the Highlands Plateau Greenway trails.

20:06 Tim Hanlon

'We are still on lockdown here in town, still active as far as I know'

Many residents have taken to social media to enquire what is happening in Highlands with the threat still active according to police.

One person wrote on Facebook: "Any updates other than it’s active? Was someone injured or was it a threat? And another replied: "We are still on lockdown here in town, still active as far as I know."

And many people have said of their surprise that a threat has been made in a place like Highlands "Never, in my wildest dreams, would this ever happen in Highlands," read one comment and another agreed: "Crazy. Not in beautiful Highlands."

19:58 Tim Hanlon

Daycare centres evacuated with lockdown ongoing

Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor says that Episcopal Daycare Center, Highlands Daycare Center, and the Methodist Daycare were all evacuated.

K-12 Highlands School is in lockdown and there will be a secure pickup at the end of the day with police present.

The mayor says that the suspect has not yet been identified. NCSBI is now assisting along with the county sheriff’s office.

19:52 Tim Hanlon

Authorities do not believe gunman is a hoax

Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor says they believe the threat to be genuine and not a hoax.

The person is understood to have called emergency services twice and also claimed there was a bomb in the daycare centre, located at the church. A bomb disposal team from Asheville has gone to the town.

19:51 Tim Hanlon

Schools and nurseries in Highlands placed in lockdown

Officials said all daycare facilities downtown and the Highlands School while police investigate the incident.

Additionally, the mayor said a bomb threat was also made so the Asheville bomb squad has been called in to help.

Shops are being asked to close and the community is asked to to avoid the town centre.