ARMED police were on standby in Siddington last night when officers tracked down a man suspected of robbing a Cirencester man at knifepoint last month.

Acting on intelligence gathered from residents living nearby, officers swooped on the suspect shortly before 7pm. A police helicopter circled above.

A 27-year-old local man, of no fixed abode, was subsequently arrested near the playing fields in the village.

He was charged with robbery and due to appear before Cheltenham magistrates today.

He stands accused of robbing a 39-year-old man in Park Lane, near Cirencester Post Office, on Thursday, April 19.

The victim was on his way to the post office in Castle Street with his business takings when he was robbed of more than £3,000.