ARMED police were alerted to two people wielding swords yesterday afternoon – which were later discovered to be made of wood.

The police helicopter was also sent up to assist officers on the ground after a concerned member of the public spotted a 'teenager and an adult with Samurai swords' in Turbary Common.

A search of the area was carried out near Ivamy Place and Canford Avenue following the call at around 2.30pm.

However, less than an hour later police found the two people and discovered their 'weapons' were, in fact, wooden training swords.

The pair were spoken to before officers left the scene. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said the informant had seen the swords in sheaths and had believed them to be real.