Royal Oldham in armed lockdown

Greater Manchester Police armed response unit were called to Oldham Royal hospital. A man called the police saying he heard gunshots.

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FALSE reports were circulated via social media about a gunman outside the Royal Oldham Hospital last night.

Oldham Council refuted the reports and called on residents to only trust official sources.

The hospital was on lockdown "because of the incident in Manchester." It is understood the hospital stopped admitting new patients after it was overwhelmed by casualties from the blast.

Several residents reported gunshots had been heard and rumours spread across social media that a gunman was outside the hospital.

Laura Bailey-Wood said via Facebook: "DO NOT COME to Oldham Hospital I'm currently inside? Man outside with GUN."

While Kimberley Turner said: "Oldham hospital apparently on lock down as man with a gun."

However Oldham Council wrote on Twitter: "We have no information to this effect at all. Please only trust or share official sources of information."