A man was today still in custody after a six-hour armed siege ended when firearms officers swooped on a building in Whitfield.

Police surrounded Mowll and Mowll solicitors in Gordon Road at around 4pm yesterday - following reports a man with a shotgun was inside.

VIDEO: Police surrounded the building in Dover.

Roads around the area were cordoned off and staff in neighbouring offices were unable to leave for several hours.

Police negotiators talked to the man, who is thought to have barricaded himself inside the building.

Police today said the 42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm remains in custody.

The dramatic incident ended around 9.30pm last night.

Speaking at 9pm yesterday - five hours after the stand-off began - a police spokesman said: "Kent Police officers are currently in Gordon Road, Whitfield, responding to a report of concern for the welfare of a man who maybe in possession of a weapon inside an office building.

"Officers were called to the incident at 4.05pm on Tuesday 16 August and are concerned for the man’s wellbeing and safety and are at the scene.

"Officers have established that nobody else is in the building and this is being treated as an isolated incident. Police negotiators are at the scene to ensure the man’s safety."

Earlier, armed police spoke to workers in neighbouring buildings.

Staff were not allowed to leave for several hours, but were released at around 9pm.

Stuart Jaenicke of Viking Recruitment, was one of them.

He said earlier: "I have 40 staff stuck in my offices unable to go home."

Mr Jaenicke continued: "Everyone got out of Mowll and Mowll okay. The police were concerned that there was no contact from Mowll and Mowll, they hadn't called the police, it was a member of the public that saw him go into the building.

"Staff from Mowll and Mowll seem to be at the Kittiwake restaurant but that's unconfirmed.

"The situation seems to be contained. Police are using our roof as a viewing platform. Everyone in my office seems to be in good spirits but they are keen to get home to their families."

Viking recruitment is a separate building on the other side of a car park.

Connecting roads were sealed off by police, including routes to Tesco and B&Q.

Reporter Sam Lennon was on the scene. He said: "There are long queues on the A2 Whitfield bound including the carriageway from the Duke of York's Roundabout.

"Police are gathered around a police car outside Mowll and Mowll. Paramedics are wearing riot helmets between the roundabout and Mowll and Mowll."

"The roundabout between Tesco and the Port Zone is deserted and there are two ambulance vans, two ambulance cars, a police van and two police cars close by."

By-stander Jessie Smissen, 17, said: "I was driving towards McDonalds and saw lots of traffic so I took a detour. There was also traffic around B&Q.

"I've seen on the news reports what has happened. It's a bit scary that this has happened in Dover."

There was also a queue of several lorries parked waiting at Honeywood Parkway.

Whitfield man Kevin Lawrence came across the incident as he was going for a cycle.

Speaking close to the scene at Honeywood Parkway, he said: "I understand this has been going on for a couple of hours. The police told us to move away for our own safety.

"They said the man with the gun had been walking around the building looking out of the windows.

"I don't know why they don't just go in there with tear gas but then we don't know why he is doing this. People can just flip."