ARMED officers were called to a Newport estate on Saturday after police were alerted to a man threatening his family.

Police were first called to Swallow Way on the Duffryn estate at 12.45pm.

But at 3.50pm an armed response team was called in and stayed for around an hour.

A 24-year-old local man, Lee Tutton was arrested and later charged with affray and section 47 assault, and was due to appear before Newport magistrates today.

The front door of the house on Swallow Way is now boarded up.

Inspector Simon Powell-Jones said: "Armed officers carried out some enquiries following threats by an individual towards his relatives."

Residents said police blocked off Swallow Way, Partridge Way and Duffryn roundabout and the surrounding alley ways.

One resident said he saw two policemen with rifles and one with a handgun. He said there were about six police cars in total.

Another resident said "We have the police down here every weekend but it's never been like that before.

"You don't expect to look out your window and see armed police.

"I couldn't get out the house and my neighbour couldn't get into her house with her kids."