A 53-year-old man has been charged with a string of offences including false imprisonment and possession of an imitation firearm in connection with the Nuneaton bowling alley incident.

David Clarke was arrested after armed police swooped on the MFA Bowl in Bermuda Park, Nuneaton, on Sunday afternoon following reports a man had entered the building with a firearm.

Police said Clarke, of Ryde Avenue, Nuneaton, will appear in court on Tuesday charged with two counts of false imprisonment, one count of criminal damage, two counts of possession of a bladed article, one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Two other people who were allegedly held hostage during the incident were later freed unharmed.

The bowling alley was busy with customers including families with children when the alarm was raised at 2.30pm.