A MAN who claimed to have an explosive device in a rucksack was shot by police.The 43-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries after being hit with a baton round.

A MAN who claimed to have an explosive device in a rucksack was shot by police.

The 43-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries after being hit with a baton round.

Officers cordoned off an area around the Ouse Bridge, where the man stood with his rucksack. Police ordered hundreds of people to leave bars and riverside flats in York in the incident at 9pm last night.

The city centre from Micklegate to Parliament Street was closed off to traffic and pedestrians.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "At around 11.55pm, the incident was brought to a safe conclusion when armed police officers deployed a baton round.

"A police dog was also deployed to contain the suspect.

"The 43-year-old man, believed to be currently living in York, was then arrested and taken to York District Hospital where he received treatment to minor injuries sustained during the incident."

Bomb disposal experts from Catterick Garrison later carried out a controlled explosion on the rucksack on the bridge.

The roads were later re-opened to the public but forensic officers remained at the scene to examine the contents of the bag.

A police spokesman said today: "Police have carried out a crime scene investigation of the rucksack and it does not contain any explosives or explosive device.'