A MAN suspected of shooting a police officer from Bury was found dead in his home on Tuesday morning after an 18-hour armed siege came to an end, police said.

Pc David Lomas, 34, a local community beat officer from Bury, was shot at around 2pm on Monday when a routine arrest turned into an armed siege in Rawtenstall.

The suspect, named locally as Stephen Hensby, a loner in his 50s, was found dead when armed police stormed the house on Hardman Avenue.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham, of Lancashire Police, said: "Following an extensive overnight police operation, firearms officers entered a premises on Hardman Avenue this morning where they found a deceased male in an upstairs bedroom.

"A deceased dog was also found in the bedroom.

"No other people were present in the house when police officers entered and no further shots were fired.

"This was a difficult operation where the safety of the public and police officers was paramount.

"A police investigation has now been launched."