Police were alerted to an incident involving a firearm in Weymouth this morning.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Police received a report at 7.45am today, Friday, May 26 2017, to a report of a man with a suspected firearm in the area of Camp Road in Weymouth.

"Officers attended and a search of the area was conducted, with assistance from the NPAS helicopter.

"Officers also liaised with staff from the nearby army barracks and it was established that the incident was linked to a training operation they had been carrying out and there was no threat to the public."

Eyewitnesses reported seeing numerous police vehicles in the area as well as the police helicopter.

Camp Road was closed earlier this morning but has since reopened.

It comes as the UK threat level is increased to critical and armed police are patrolling the streets of Dorset in a response to Monday's terrorist attack in Manchester.

Superintendent Caroline Naughton, of Dorset Police, added: “We have got an effective working relationship with the military and Ministry of Defence Police and will work to ensure that continues.

“We take all reports of this nature seriously and will always respond accordingly.”