AN AGITATED man threatened to set fire to himself and a house in Windmill Hill, Runcorn on Monday night.

Police officers helped paramedics break into the property in Bridgeway East at 8.40pm.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "Ambulance called police to effect a forced entry because a male inside may have overdosed.

"He hadn't but then threatened to set fire to himself and the house, but he didn't."

The 45-year-old man, who was in the house alone, was taken to hospital by paramedics.