A SUSPECTED gunman apparently shot himself after a 16-hour stand-off with police, it has been reported.

A single gunshot was heard at about midday at the centre of a police operation on Leagrave Common, in Luton, Bedfordshire.

One eyewitness said a man, who appeared to have been holding a sawn-off shotgun to his head, could be seen lying on the floor.

The stand-off was sparked at about 8.30pm last night when the man was challenged by armed police who suspected he was carrying a gun.