A gunman caused chaos on the roads after parking his car and telling police he planned to shoot himself.

The A2300 at Burgess Hill had to be shut as armed police surrounded the man and tried to talk him into giving himself up.

The drama took place at 9.20am Wednesday just off the A23.

The man, who has not been named, parked in a country lane off the A2300, which connects the A23 at Hickstead to Burgess Hill, and then called 999.

He told police he had a gun and was going to harm himself.

Armed officers raced to the scene and a section of the A2300 was immediately closed.

Countryside lanes off the A2300 were also cordoned off and buses were diverted away from the area.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “The area was contained and local roads closed whilst firearms officers spoke with the man for nearly an hour as the force helicopter monitored the situation.”

Inspector Paul Scott added: "Firearms officers spoke with the man, who handed himself over to police before being detained under the Mental Health Act.

“A handgun has been recovered.

“I would like to thank the public for the patience as local roads were closed for that time.”

The man was initially parked in Stairbridge Lane at Hickstead.

Roads closed as a consequence included Stairbridge Lane, Pookbourne Lane and Job's Lane, all off the A2300 and very close to the junction for the A23.

Buses serving Mid Sussex were diverted during the incident.

Compass Travel services had to take alternative routes.

A spokeswoman for the company explained: “We were informed by the police it was an accident and we could not go through Hickstead.

“It affected one of our routes yesterday morning.”