A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after staff at a petrol station were forced to hide from a knifeman in a safe room.

Armed officers and a negotiator were called to the Esso petrol station in Hengrove Way, Bristol shortly after 7.30am on Thursday.

Police were on the scene within five minutes and after two hours of negotiations, a man in his 50s was arrested.

“People in the area may have heard a number of bangs which came from police distraction devices being deployed and a baton round that was discharged,” a spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said.

“These were minimal force options and presented the least risk to the public, the suspect and officers in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.

“A man in his 50s is currently at a police custody unit having been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and will be assessed by health professionals.”

Members of staff at the forecourt, which had a Morrisons Daily shop inside, were uninjured after remaining in a safe room and in contact with police throughout.

A man in his 20s was being treated for non-life threatening knife wounds after leaving the scene and taking himself to hospital.