CROWDS gathered in Cinderford' s High Street after a man doused himself with petrol and threatened to set himself on fire.

The 21-year-old got the petrol from the Abbotswood Shell Garage and poured it over himself before firefighters and police, including armed officers and trained negotiators, arrived on the scene.

The man, who was holding a lighter, walked from the forecourt of the petrol station up the street and stood outside the Co-op- erative Funeral Service building.

Firefighters were standing by with powder fire extinguishers and a blanket while officers talked with the man, who lives in Cinderford.

The man eventually agreed to give police the lighter he was holding and he was detained under the Mental Health Act.

The High Street was closed during the stand-off which began shortly after 5.30pm on Monday.

The road was reopened by 6.30pm.