ARMED police found a man in possession of a toy pistol in a pub before discovering a shotgun in his vehicle.

As reported the large police response took place in Swanage on Saturday night following a call from a concerned member of the public.

Dorset Police had received a report of a man "possibly in possession of a gun" at the Red Lion in High Street at around 10.30pm.

"It was reported that a man had a gun tucked into the front of his trousers. He allegedly showed it to a member of public but did not threaten anyone with it.

"Armed response officers attended and carried out a search of the area. A man was located and reportedly found to be in possession of a toy pistol.

"Following subsequent searches of his vehicle a shotgun was seized."

A 43-year-old man from Oxfordshire was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate.

He has been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.