A MAN 'held a firearm to his chest' during an incident in Highcliffe in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police were called to Lymington Road just before 1.10am on January 6 after a man was spotted with what appeared to be a gun.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "Police received a report of a man believed to be in possession of a possible firearm in Lymington Road.

"It was reported that as the man walked past two members of the public he raised the possible firearm to his chest.

"Officers attended and carried out a search of the area.

"A 22-year-old man was arrested. He was reportedly found in possession of a lock knife and officers also allegedly located an imitation firearm nearby after being shown where it was by the man."

A man has been charged in connection with the incident.

Liam Bull, who is 22 and of no fixed abode, is accused of possessing a knife in a public place and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court this week and was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court next month.