POLICE opened fire on a man brandishing a hand gun and a Samurai sword in Milford on Sunday.

The incident occurred near the homes of Surrey's new High Sheriff, the actress Penelope Keith, and MP for South West Surrey, Virginia Bottomley.

A 38-year-old Milford man is recovering, under police guard, in the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

He was hit by a single baton round fired by police.

A police spokesman told The Herald that his abdominal injuries were not considered to be life threatening and that he would be questioned when he is fit to be discharged from hospital.

Neighbours alerted the police during the early hours of Sunday when they saw a man brandishing weapons near to the Portsmouth Road.

Two armed response units, which included four armed officers, went to the scene at 2-38 am and found the man who was making threats to kill.

The police spokesman said: "As a result of the man threatening police officers with the sword, a single baton round was discharged to incapacitate him."

This is only the second time that baton rounds have been discharged on the UK mainland during an operation.

The guns, which are said by the police to reduce the chance of people being killed, were introduced to Surrey Police last December.

They have a range of 30 metres and bullets are fired at a speed of 70 metres per second.

As a result of the gunman's injury, there is a mandatory requirement to refer the incident to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). Temporary Detective Superintendent Brian Russell has been assigned to conduct the investigation under the supervision of PCA member Anne Bousted.

Commenting on the incident, Surrey's Assistant Chief Constable Frank Clarke said: "The early indications are that the officers have acted professionally and with a significant amount of courage."

He added that he welcomed the PCA's investigation and said that it would help to ensure that the force's policy and procedures are effective.

"The officers involved are all specially trained and are not currently suspended from duty," he said.

The incident happened just five days after Miss Keith (62), was inaugurated as High Sheriff of Surrey.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who were in the Milford area between 2 and 4 am on April 7 to call the incident room at Dorking on 01306 676313.