Armed police surrounded a block of flats in Calne after a man was shot with an air rifle during a row.

A man was arrested after the incident at Baily House in Foreman Road, Calne, at 9.10pm on Friday.

It is believed the two men began arguing after one of them left a neigbouring flat.

The man with the air rifle is thought to have been leaning over the balcony near a first floor flat.

He went back indoors and returned with the rifle.

Shortly afterwards the other man was shot in the chest at close range.

He was not treated in hospital for the pellet wound.

When police entered the flat, they found a second man, who was also arrested, and a woman with a young baby.

Police seized four guns after the incident, which have been sent off for forensic examination.

Sergeant Phil Connor of Calne police said: “At no time were any members of the public in any danger.

“Police officers were at the scene within minutes of the initial call and the flats were secured.”

The man surrendered and was arrested in the prone position, lying face down.

A police spokesman said seven members of the armed response team attended the incident. They were armed with tazers and baton guns as well as automatic rifles.

The man, who has not yet been charged, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He was taken to Melksham Police Station and later released on bail pending forensic examination of the air rifle.