A man has been detained after a "bomb threat" incident at a restaurant in Glasgow city centre.

Armed police closed part of Glasgow city centre after reports that a man claiming to have a bomb barricaded himself into a restaurant.

Nelson Mandela Place at West George Street was shut off by officers from around 3.45pm on Friday after the incident at Amarone restaurant near Buchanan Street subway station.

Police officers moved in and detained a man just before midnight on Friday. He was taken away in a police van.

Earlier, police had revealed no hostages were involved and trained negotiators were at the scene of the alleged bomb threat. A Royal Navy bomb disposal team arrived on the scene just before 7pm.

In a police press conference at the scene, Superintendent Brian McInulty said the incident involved one man, who was contained within the Italian restaurant.

He said: "There has been disruption to roads and transport in the city centre and we would apologise for any inconvenience. However, our priority is the safety of people living, working and socialising in the city centre and this action was necessary due what was taking place."

Shortly after Superintendent McInulty spoke, an ambulance forward command unit arrived on the scene. At least three armed officers wearing balaclavas were seen entering the cordon at approximately 6.30pm.

West George Street was also closed at West Nile Street as a result of the incident. Glasgow Subway closed Buchanan Street station at the request of the police and asked travellers to use St Enoch station instead.

A spokeswoman for Amarone said: "Staff were told to evacuate the restaurant before 4pm this afternoon by police.

"None of the floor staff have been told why the restaurant had to be evacuated but we have been told we won't be open for business this evening. We are currently calling all customers to cancel their bookings."

A police cordon was set up around Nelson Mandela Place with shoppers, residents and commuters being diverted from the area, while some customers were kept in shops nearby as police dealt with the incident.

Businesses within the cordon were closed as fire engines and ambulances arrived.

The Carlton George Hotel was among the neighbouring buildings affected. The hotel said anyone who had to cancel a booking because of the incident would be refunded.

Some guests and staff were reported to have been kept in the hotel for several hours before police allowed them to leave.

Craig Anderson, from Stirling, said: "I just checked in today, went for lunch and came back but now the police won't let us in and won't tell us why not."

Michael Irwin 19, a student, was prevented from leaving a Subway sandwich shop nearby.

He told STV News: "I was in Subway on Nelson Mandela Place when West Nile was cordoned off at 4.30pm.

"Then I saw dog branch go past. Then I saw three officers with shields go towards Amarone.

“I was still in Subway at 5.30pm when police came in and told us we had to get away from the windows. We couldn't leave through the front door, they made us go through the back alleyway. I don't know what's going on."