Gunman shot dead after stand-off with police

A gunman was shot dead by police after threatening to open fire on officers in Bedfordshire yesterday.

Police said the man, who has not been named, was shot at the end of a stand-off on the A6 in the village of Clophill.

Armed officers opened fire at about 5.45pm after being threatened by the man at a roundabout in the village.

A single shot was fired at the gunman, who was taken to Bedford hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A police spokeswoman said the Police Complaints Authority would be co-ordinating an investigation into the shooting. A handgun was later recovered by the roadside. The police officer who fired the shot will not be identified and is being supported by the force's welfare department.

The A6 was closed while forensic scientists made a full examination of the scene.