SHOTS were fired during a police operation in which a man was arrested in connection with a robbery in Somerset.

He was arrested at a property in the Park Street area of Castle Cary at about 4.30am following a three-hour operation, which involved firearms officers.

The arrest us in connection with a robbery in the Yeovil area, police confirmed.

"We were called to reports of what sounded like gunshots being discharged in the Castle Cary area at about 1.30am," an Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said.

"Officers surrounded a property in the Park Street area containing a man with a gun.

"Further shots were fired during the incident.

"Following negotiations with the suspect he eventually agreed to leave the property and was arrested – he remains in police custody."

A firearm was seized and will be forensically examined, he said, and moved to reassure residents.

"No-one was hurt during the operation – members of the public, police officers or the suspect," the spokesman added.

"We will continue to patrol the Castle Cary area to provide reassurance and receive information from members of the public.

"There will also be a number of cordoned off areas in the town today including the High Street while crime scene investigators continue to collate information and evidence.

"We want to confirm this was an isolated incident and the man arrested was wanted in connection with a robbery in the Yeovil area last week.

"We’d like to reiterate although a number of gun shots were fired, no-one was hurt and the suspect remains in police custody."