TWO men have been charged with gun running offences after an armed police stop.

Residents reported seeing armed officers and a dog unit in Hesper Road, Colchester on Sunday.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Billy Parsley, 22, of no fixed address, and Kian Rultan, 24, of Morant Road, Colchester, were due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with possession of a firearm when prohibited for five years and transferring prohibited weapons or ammunition.

"We made two arrests in Hesper Road after stopping a car at around 3.50pm."