A man and a woman were spotted brandishing knives in the store at around 6pm last night.

Police said a Taser had been used on the man at the end of a three-hour stand-off with armed officers.

He was later led away in handcuffs.

The woman was stretchered away by paramedics and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after taking ill shortly after being detained.

As the drama unfolded at the Royal Mile Pharmacy, a large crowd gathered on the busy street and a team of negotiators arrived to bring the disturbance under control.