ARMED response units swooped on a service station near Chester after reports that a man had a gun in his car.

The incident happened last night at Hapsford Services on the M56.

If followed a report to police that a man had been seen with a gun in a vehicle in Rhyl.

Rhyl Journal:

The BB guns. Image: Cheshire and North Wales AAP

It turned out that the weapons were BB guns.

Armed response officers detained three males and gave advice.

Cheshire and North Wales Police Alliance Armed Policing Unit tweeted: "Call in good faith reporting male with a gun in a vehicle in #Rhyl. Vehicle eventually located in #Hapsford services with ARVs detaining 3 males. Weapons found to be BB guns therefore suitable advice/education given.

"Thanks to the public for their patience."

Today, a North Wales Police spokesman said: "Carrying BB guns in public can cause alarm to people who think they are real guns.

"Parents: please do not buy imitation firearms as gifts.

"The use of these realistic looking weapons in public could result in youngsters being faced with armed officers."