A MAN had to be tasered after he pointed a gun in a police officer's face.

The incident happened just before 10pm last night, when police were called to a house in Maple Crescent, Leigh, to deal with a report of criminal damage.

When they got there, they were confronted by a gang of men armed with machetes and an air rifle.

One of the men then pointed the gun at one officer's face "in a threatening manner", police said.

Police tasered the man, who was said to be uninjured.

Police later searched the house and seized the gun, which was later revealed to be an air gun, a pellet gun, more than 170 pellets, a chrome bar and machetes.

They have been taken for forensic analysis.

Det Ch Insp Michael Fraser said: "What this incident shows is the dangers police officers face day in, day out, to protect the public.

"The gun was pointed directly in the face of the officer, and at that time it was impossible to know whether it was a genuine firearm or an air rifle.

"Faced with such intimidating and threatening circumstances, the officers acted appropriately by using a taser and as a result, arrested all the members of the gang without injury to either themselves or anyone at the house."

Four men aged 19, 47, 29 and 27 have been arrested on suspicion of affray, and the 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. All four are in custody for questioning.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.