A MAN returning from a test drive was held up by an armed gunman this afternoon as he returned the car to a dealership in South Woodford.

The gunman approached the car as it pulled into the Land Rover and Jaguar shop in the High Road at the top of George Lane at around 2.30pm, and pointed the gun at the driver and ordered him out.

He then attempted to drive off but was prevented by an immobiliser fitted in the vehicle.

He jumped out of the car and ran the length of George Lane in an attempt to escape.

A police helicopter was scrambled and armed police raced to George Lane.

Police say they have arrested a 40-year-old man in Chingford in connection with the attack, but witnesses in George Lane say a man was arrested outside of Barclay's bank.

A member of staff at the dealership, who called the police, said: "I had just gone out to make a phone call and when I came back all this was happening. It was crazy."

A number of children also witnessed the attempted robbery as they queued up to see the film GI Joe at the South Woodford Odeon Cinema next door.

More to follow.

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