A 22-YEAR-old man from Colchester will appear in court next month charged with possession of an imitation firearm in a public place.

The man was seen by an officer on patrol on the A12 to be driving a silver Vauxhall Astra while in possession of what appeared to be a firearm.

The vehicle was followed to Sainsburys at Tollgate, where the vehicle stopped, and the man was arrested.

Officers recovered two BB style guns from the vehicle.

The man has been released on police bail prior to an appearance at Colchester Magistrates Court on July 17.