A MAN has been released from custody after armed police surrounded a Winchester house in a 12-hour stand-off.

The 'seige' ended peacefully after negotiations on Saturday when a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of affray. A crossbow was recovered at the scene in Stanmore.

The police were called at 8.40pm on Friday to a house in Stuart Crescent and the arrest was made at about 8.40am on Saturday.

A police spokesman said today: "We were called to the scene after a man believed to be involved in a dispute refused to leave an address in the road.

"There were no injuries to anyone at the time and the man was alone inside the address. Officers negotiated with the man to encourage him to come out. In situations like this we have to consider the well-being and safety of everyone involved when considering what action to take.

"In this case, taking our time, worked as it was not considered there was any wider risk to the community as the incident was contained. We would like to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with it."

A 52-year-old local man has been released from custody but remains under investigation, said a police spokesman.

Local councillor Jamie Scott who lives on nearby Kings Avenue, said: "This is a serious incident. This sort of things does not often happen in the community. It's normally a safe place. it think this is an isolated one-off incident."