POLICE were called to reports of a man with a gun chasing children.

Hampshire police rushed to the Newport area last night at around 8pm after a group of children said they saw a man acting suspiciously.

The group of five children on the Isle of Wight said he chased them, and some of the children said he had an object with him that looked like a gun.

He ran off when a panic alarm was activated.

Hampshire police said: "We've been speaking to the children and other people in the area today, but there are no other witnesses or CCTV images to provide a better picture of exactly what has happened and whether a gun was involved.

"Officers also found nothing suspicious happening in the area when they attended last night and we've had no other reports made to us.

"We take reports like this very seriously and will provide more details to you when we have them. We'll also be patrolling the area to provide re-assurance to the local community."