ARMED police swooped on a York street after reports that a man was carrying a firearm.

Teachers at Hob Moor primary school kept children in lessons as armed response officers searched streets in Ascot Way and Windsor Garth, Acomb.

The drama began at about 2.30pm yesterday, when officers at North Yorkshire Police were alerted to an altercation between a bus driver and a nearby resident.

The driver told police the man had produced a gun - although he had not pointed it at him.

It is believed the argument may have been over where the bus was parked. A police spokesman said an armed response vehicle was dispatched to the scene, on the west side of the city, as officers began a lengthy operation to contain and search the area. Witness David Jackson, who lives nearby, said: "The police were up and down the street all night. We were outside watching them patrol.

"The school had kept the children in while the police were around. They (the police) had sniffer dogs with them."

A police spokesman said they reacted after receiving a report of that the driver had been threatened.

He said: "We contacted the bus company and spoke to the driver. He said this man threatened him and had a gun with him. He didn't point it at him. An Armed Response Vehicle attended the scene."

The spokesman added that police returned to the area at about 5pm when they contacted a man in connection with the incident. Officers then carried out a detailed search of a property, and a number of firearms were taken from the house.

The Evening Press understands that air-rifles may have been among the haul.

Mr Jackson added: "The police searched the house and came out carrying bags. We were all having a look and I counted a number of firearms."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said the children were allowed to go home at their normal time of 3.20pm.

"We can confirm that there was an incident outside Hob Moor school yesterday," she said. "No children were involved and they remained in school until the problem had passed. The police are investigating the incident."

Updated: 14:41 Friday, February 28, 2003