ARMED police carried out a manhunt after reports that a man was seen carrying a machete.

Police have now stepped up patrols in the area around Lennox Street and Charles Street in Weymouth's Park District, in a bid to reassure residents as the investigation continues.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said they received a report at just after 7pm on Wednesday evening that a man was walking along carrying a knife.

But a witness, who didn't want to be named, said there had been two men - one carrying an 8" carving knife and another with a machete.

The man said the pair ran down Lennox Street and around 15 people took shelter in the chip shop.

He added: "Someone there phoned the police. We informed the carnival security people on the promenade who rushed into Lennox Street, followed shortly by police officers."

The spokesman for Dorset Police said a search of Lennox Street, Charles Street and the surrounding area was carried out, along with door-to-door enquiries.

No one has been arrested but enquiries are ongoing.

Another eyewitness, who lives on Lennox Street, said he was walking home from the carnival when he saw 'police cars flying about everywhere'.

He added: "They all seemed to be going the wrong way up the one-way part of Charles Street. I wasn't sure what was going on, but judging by the amount of police cars around it must have been very serious."

The spokesman for Dorset Police said: "It was reported that a man was seen walking down the road carrying a knife.

"Police, including armed officers, attended and a search of the area was carried out. Enquiries were also made at local addresses along Lennox Street and Charles Street.

"No victims or offenders were identified and no arrests were made.

"Officers continue to investigate the circumstances and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have stepped up patrols to offer community reassurance."