[Scarlett.]

Armed police remain outside Halifax bank in Blackpool in six-hour stand-off with a man on a mobility scooter who poured petrol inside

A huge emergency service response was launched following the incident at the Halifax branch on Church Street shortly after 2pm today (September 28).

A large cordon continues this evening along Church Street, St Johns Square and Cedar Square and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.

Earlier this afternoon, more than a dozen shops including M&S, Ladbrokes, Nandos and Greggs were closed and other nearby buildings were evacuated.

In a statement at 6.45pm tonight, a Blackpool Police spokesperson said: "Emergency services are still at the Halifax bank in Blackpool. We continue to ask people to avoid the area if possible."

Live update on Lancs Live