A POLICE hunt for an armed man was continuing today after a police officer was held at gunpoint in Didcot.

Two schools were 'locked down' after the man brandished the weapon when he was stopped by police in Kynaston Road yesterday afternoon.

The man then fled towards a cemetery which backs on to both St Birinus School and Willowcroft Community School, in Mereland Road.

Hundreds of pupils were ordered inside, and doors and windows were locked while armed police combed the area.

Despite a search, involving sniffer dogs and a helicopter, neither the gunman nor the gun was found.

Officers last night extended the search across the town, but the man has not yet been found.

The incident began when police spotted a black Volkswagen Golf driving erratically on Oxford's Eastern Bypass and followed it to Didcot.

The gunman is described as black, 5ft 9in tall, in his late teens or early 20s, with a short Afro-style haircut. He was wearing jeans, trainers and a black Puffa jacket.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.