A Grays man threatened to blow up his house rather than let bailiffs repossess it during a three-hour siege on Friday.

The man - thought to be in his late 50s - used bottled gas and homemade petrol bombs to deter the repossession team who arrived at his William Street house at 2.15pm.

The bailiffs attempted to break the front door down after they were refused entry, but stopped when they heard a hissing sound and smelt gas.

For the full story, see today's Echo.