A MAN was found with gun shot wounds to his head after threatening police in Runcorn.

Police were called to a house in Heath Road, at 9.15am following reports that the man, who was known to the householder, was using threatening behaviour and refusing to leave.

After arriving at the scene the unarmed officers were threatened by the gunman. They retreated to a safe distance, but a short time later, a single gun shot was heard.

They found the man near to the house with gunshot wounds to his head and the gun nearby.

He was taken by air ambulance to hospital in Liverpool and police have now voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

They are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident but anyone with information should ring 101 quoting incident number 403 of August 4.