A road in Mairehau was blocked off after armed police were called to the area.

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com police were notified of a sighting of a firearm on Westminster Street around 1.23pm.

Westminster Street between Greenwood Close and Hills Road was cordoned off while armed police attended.

The cordons were lifted and police left the area just before 3pm after confirming the report of a firearm was false.