Part of a city centre was sealed off after a man started firing shots from a window.

Sussex Police were called to William Sutton House in Tichborne Street, Brighton, shortly after 10pm last night.

The man had been firing an air rifle from the window at the back of one of one of the flats and was refusing to come out.

Nobody else was in the flat at the time.

Armed police were called to the scene and the area was cordoned off .

Trained police negotiators talked to the man but he remained in the building.

Officers forced their way in at 2.40am this morning and tasered the man before arresting him.

No shots were fired during the arrest.

Nobody was injured during the incident and the shots that were fired did not hit anyone.

Police recovered two air rifles in the flat.

The 50-year old man was arrested on suspicion of possession a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.

One witness said: “There seemed to be armed units everywhere and a large area was cordoned off.

“I was called by a friend who lives nearby and he said they had been told by police not to go out.”

Residents in nearby properties who were trying to get home during the incident had to be escorted to their houses back by police.

None of the surrounding buildings were evacuated and its is believed the shots were not being aimed at any particular place or person.