ARMED police were locked in a stand-off with a 72-year-old suspected gunman for more than 24 hours.

Officers were first called to a house in Harbour Road, Pagham, at 4.10pm on Sunday following reports of threatening behaviour.

When it emerged the elderly man could have a weapon, firearms officers were called along with trained negotiators.

A woman - understood to be his wife - was in the house at first but later escaped unharmed.

The man barricaded himself inside his house as each end of the sleepy seafront village road was cordoned off and put under police guard.

Neighbours were escorted to and from their homes by police car as officers armed with automatic weapons trained their guns on the house.

Photographs show a negotiator speaking to the man through a megaphone, while shielding behind a armoured car's bonnet.

Police dogs arrived yesterday morning and 20 police officers were there for most of the day.

Two police cars, four vans and an ambulance were also parked up in the usually peaceful road.

As the siege continued yesterday afternoon police brought in a Portaloo so officers could relieve themselves without leaving the scene.

Semi-retired interior designer Alistair Black, 77, who has lived there for14 years, said: "We found out at about 6pm yesterday (Sunday) when we were about to leave the house and the police ushered us back inside.

"I've seen the couple around who live at that house but I don't know them. There's nothing unusual about them from what I've seen, they are just an elderly couple.

"I think they've lived here since before we moved in.

"We have been told to stay indoors. They are trying to coax him out.

"I think it is sad but it's not a dangerous situation for us or anything.

"I've seen about 18 officers, including about five armed police, and around 12 cars."

Another neighbour Mike Hill, 66, who is an electrical designer, said: "I took the dogs for a walk yesterday at about 7.30pm and was going up the far side of the road when police told me to get back.

"We aren't allowed to go further up the road. I don't know what's going on.

"Last night I saw about six officers and at least four vans.

"At first we thought it must have been something to do with immigration."