French police have arrested a gunman who took two people hostage in a post office north west of Paris.

It is thought that there is no link to terrorism and that the man is known to the authorities.

The area around the building in Colombes was sealed off.

Police sources said several people had managed to escape the premises.

It is believed the man was armed with grenades and Kalashnikovs.

France is still on edge after a series of attacks last week by Islamist gunmen which left 17 people dead.