A MAN who stormed into a St Helens business with a suspected explosive device and took three hostages was arrested by armed police last night.

Bomb squad and police negotiators spent almost six hours talking with the 35-year-old who walked into Alfred Knight at 11.30am.

Around 200 staff fled the metal analysis business off Prescot Road, fearing a bomb.

They were evacuated from the converted house, along with nearby residents, to Carmel College and West Park Rugby Club.

Lab technician Andrew Howard, 24, said: “We were told the man came in and made certain demands, he wanted internet access and demanded to see the finance director.

“He asked for three people and they were kept inside.”

Resident Gaynor Tomlinson said a policeman told her the suspect entered the works with explosives “strapped to his back”.

Students at Carmel College frantically texted home as news of the alert spread.

A Spanish student said: “We were told we couldn’t leave the grounds and could only text our family to let them know we were OK.

“Many girls were crying and some people jumped over the back fence to get away.”