A MAN apparently brandishing a crossbow died today after being shot during a police siege, it was revealed.

Officers opened fire on the man, in his late 40s, at around 1.20am. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the victim fired what appeared to be a crossbow before being shot at, and is to investigate the death.

The IPCC said two unarmed officers were called to the house in Shildon, County Durham, at 12.30am, following a series of 999 calls.

They saw a man at a window with what was believed to have been a crossbow.

After the officers reported the crossbow being fired, two units of armed police surrounded the house and several nearby streets were cordoned off.