Armed police were called to a pub in Workington town centre after reports of a customer with a gun.
Officers were called to Vinnie’s Bar on Finkle Street earlier this evening and evacuated the pub before searching the premises.
However, the call was a false alarm and no guns were found.
A witness said he believed there was a man with BB-type guns in a bag in the pub and they had been mistaken for live guns.
Police had left the scene by 7.30pm and the pub is open.
A Cumbria Constabulary spokesman said: “Police responded to a male reported to have firearms in Workington Town Centre.
“The male was located and a search carried out. This resulted in BB guns being recovered. Enquiries are ongoing.”