Armed police were called to a mental health centre in East Oxford today after a man walked in brandishing a kitchen knife.

Thames Valley Police said a member of staff at the Rectory Centre, in Rectory Road, raised the alarm shortly after 1pm.

Staff fled when the man, who is in his 30s, pulled out the kitchen knife in the reception area.

The man then locked himself in the reception area, while police negotiated with him from outside the centre.

Officers persuaded him to give himself up shortly before 2pm, recovered the knife and he has now been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Oxford Police spokesman Vicky Brandon said 15 police officers were involved in the operation.

She added: "Officers created a cordon around the premises as a precaution and armed officers were on standby.

"The man went into the building because he was feeling suicidal and then drew out a knife. The incident lasted about an hour and no-one was hurt."

The centre is part of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.