Police in England were tonight facing an investigation into their handling of the manhunt for Raoul Moat as further details of the tense six-hour stand off with the gunman emerged.

Northumbria Police had hoped to be able to take Raoul Moat into custody alive, without any further bloodshed.

Police in the UK were facing questions over the handling of the hunt for fugitive gunman Raoul Moat today after it emerged that several opportunities were missed to intercept the former nightclub bouncer.