A man in his 70s was arrested by armed police last night after his neighbour alleged he was threatened with a gun.

Officers swooped on the man's terraced flat in Canterbury Road, Herne Bay, after receiving the 999 call at 6.15pm.

The road was shut off between Spenser Road and Eddington Lane while armed officers wearing bullet proof vests surrounded the building, opposite the St Clements Court sheltered housing complex.

Officers in three patrol cars and an unmarked 4x4 were also stationed near the Homebase car park.

The man was eventually arrested shortly after 8pm and a firearm was allegedly found.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "They just came in here, picked him up and took him off.

"He's an old boy in his 70s and lives by himself. It was certainly a lot of drama for a Monday night."

Onlooker Jodie Clark, from Greenhill, was driving past when she saw the commotion.

She said: "There were five police vehicles and a black 4x4 just before the bridge where the plant hire place used to be.

"There were armed police standing around. There was also a police car and a 4x4 in the lay-by near Homebase."

The road was re-opened shortly before 9pm and officers left the scene.

The man was taken into police custody, where he remains.