A man was arrested at Sir Paul McCartney's estate on Friday after trying to gain access to the former Beatles singer's home.

The middle-aged fan managed to make his way through security patrols and drove towards Macca's home at Peasmarsh, Sussex, shouting, "I must get in." He fled after worried staff-members called police, but gave himself up in the neighbouring village of Northiam following a car chase.

Though Sir Paul was out having lunch with friends at the time of the incident, his workers had expected him to return at any moment.

A source told the News of the World: "This was the most frightening incident they've ever had at Peasmarsh. Everyone was terrified that the guy could turn nasty. No one knew if he was armed or whether he wanted to attack someone. They were worried that this madman could come face to face with Paul.

"He drove down the drive past security at speed and was shouting out a lot of things. But he made it clear that he wanted to get up to the house and to Paul. Luckily the guards managed to close the last security gate before he got up to the main house. He just shouted at them about wanting to get in."

A spokesman for Sussex police explained: "We received a call from a security officer at Peasmarsh and later arrested a man at his home address. He was initially arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and failing to stop when challenged by police. He was later detained under the Mental Health Act and is not facing criminal charges."