A man carrying a gun was arrested outside St Paul's Cathedral by armed officers on Friday.

The suspect was detained just after midday in the grounds of the iconic cathedral.

Police said his arrest followed an earlier report that a man involved in a domestic incident in east London had been in possession of a firearm.

Witnesses claimed the suspect had been spotted carrying what appeared to be a large handgun near the gift shop inside St Paul's.

He then fled the scene and is believed to have discarded the weapon in the churchyard before being detained by armed officers.

Police are not treating the incident as terror related

A spokesman for the City of London Police, which patrols the square mile around the capital's financial hub, said: "Officers from both the City of London Police and Met Police attended a domestic-related incident this morning at 8.30am on Curtain Road. This was following a report of a man in possession of a firearm.

"An investigation began immediately to locate this individual. We are now confident the man arrested at St Paul's this afternoon is the same individual. He currently remains in police custody and officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incidents."

Parts of St Paul’s Cathedral were cordoned off as detectives in forensic suits examined and photographed evidence on the floor of the churchyard.

Forensic officers were search the grounds of the cathedral

The area was cordoned off for almost four hours as forensic officers examined evidence before bagging it up and taking it away.

A spokesman for St Paul's Cathedral said: "Following the arrest of a man believed to be in possession of a firearm, the Cathedral will remain open as usual and there will be additional security staff on duty and increased security screening in place."