Firearms officers with Staffordshire Police used their stun guns for the first time yesterday when a teenager was attacked with a Samurai sword.

Armed officers were called to a house in Newcastle-under-Lyme just after midnight and found the injured 18-year-old and three older men. A 58-year-old man rushed towards the police wielding a Samurai sword and had to be knocked out with a Taser gun. He was due to be questioned by officers yesterday.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "At 12.08am firearms officers were called to an incident where an 18-year-old man had been injured by an older man who was in possession of a Samurai sword.

"The officers challenged three men who were at a house. Two were compliant and were detained in the street. A third man who approached was non compliant, ignoring repeated requests to stand still.

"As he rushed towards the armed officers a Taser device was discharged which struck him on the upper torso, immediately incapacitating him."

The 18-year-old only had superficial injuries and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward to help with their inquiries.