Armed police were sent to a Whitton park after reports of a man following two young girls with a small black handgun.

Police were contacted by the girls at 3.15pm today.

The suspect is described as black, around 40-years-old, tall, of medium build.

He had dark hair which was shaved on one side, and wore a blue jacket and dark shoes.

Officers searched the Whitton Recreation Ground off Shakespeare Road, Ipswich, but found no trace of the man.

No other calls or sightings were reported.

Anyone with information is asked to call Suffolk police on 101.