A HEAVY police presence was spotted in Great Wakering last night (April 21) after reports surfaced that a man was seen with a gun.

Several police units were reportedly seen in Great Wakering High Street and Conway Avenue and the chopper was seen hovering in place overhead.

Witnesses have told the Echo that police officers were asking if a man in a blue tracksuit had been seen and that armed police and dog units were patrolling the streets of the village.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police were called at 5.25pm on Friday April 21 with reports a man had been seen with what appeared to be a gun in Twyford Avenue, Great Wakering.

"Officers carried out an extensive search but the man was not found."