ARMED police sealed off this Deighton street during a four-hour siege.

Up to 40 officers, including specially-trained marksmen, surrounded a house in Riddings Close from 3pm yesterday afternoon after a man armed himself with a machete.

The 39-year-old man, who lives alone in a terrace house in the street, had been visited by social services staff but refused to co-operate.

It is believed he then grabbed the machete and barricaded himself upstairs in the house.

Large crowds of residents watched the drama unfold as police tried to talk to the man.

Some criticised the police for being "heavy-handed", with officers in protective clothing and carrying riot shields.

At 7.15pm the man was persuaded to come to the door.

He spoke to officers for a few seconds and was then bundled to the floor and disarmed.

A police spokesman said the man was taken to Huddersfield Police headquarters and to hospital for medical assessment.