ARMED police officers were called in to a normally quiet cul-de-sac on Sunday night after receiving reports of a man armed with a knife

Neighbours said eight police vehicles along with dogs and armed officers were outside a house at Dartmoor Road, Westbury Leigh, for several hours from 10.30pm.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, had to be escorted by police to her front door after returning home at about 1am.

She said: "We just walked around the corner and the police stopped us immediately. It was a shock to see so many police cars and armed police in such a small place.

"It was frightening. I made sure everything in the house was locked up."

Another woman, who also lives nearby, said: "All the neighbours around here are really friendly. We like living here and something like this isn't something you imagine happening on your doorstep."

Police negotiators were called in and the situation was finally resolved at about 3am.

A 46-year-old man appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Tuesday charged with child neglect. He was bailed to appear at a later date yet to be confirmed.