ARMED police officers and the force helicopter are being used in a developing incident involving a man with a sword.

Officers were called to reports of a domestic incident at a house in Rochester Close, Durrington, at about 12.11pm.

The initial officers responding to the incident discovered a man in the garden of the property in possession of a sword.

A police cordon has been put in place to contain the area and to ensure the safe welfare of members of the public.

A Sussex Police spokesman said officers are attempting to negotiate with the man and the incident is ongoing.

Residents on the street spoke of their shock at seeing such a large police presence and said that the man seen holding a sword is a "really nice guy". 

A person living in a neighboring house who wished to remain anonymous said: "He was dressed as a Marvel character with a big suit of body armour type costume on and holding a massive sword.

"The sword looked real from where I was. 

"I know him, he is a very nice man, really lovely normally. 

"He has been round before for cups of coffee and we would have a chat.

"The police are using my house to look out of the window and see what is going on."

Ray Day, 71, who was in the street visiting his daughter, said: "It seemed like a hostage situation from what I could see and have been told.

"There are about 20 vehicles here for one situation.

"Surely they don't need that many vehicles here.

"It's been going on for hours now so I thought they would have found him by now.

"I haven't seen anyone being taken away and I expect the police will be here for a while."

At the height of the incident, around 20 police cars and several ambulances were parked in the street and the surrounding area. 

More to follow.