A 26-YEAR-OLD Melksham man has been charged after officers took a meat cleaver off him following a chase in Trowbridge.

Sam Kane of Kingsbury Square, Melksham, has been charged with possession of a bladed/sharp pointed article in a public place.

He has been released on police bail to appear at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court on August 25.

The incident happened on Friday and assistant chief constable Kier Pritchard tweeted his praise for the officers who were involved in the arrest.

Mr Pritchard wrote: "Nice one team. Just think of the damage this could have caused. Superb pro-active policing, well done."