Police have allayed concerns over a flurry of unmarked cars and army helicopters in a district of Kent.

Eye-witnesses today also reported a significant number of emergency response vehicles in Cheriton, Shepway.

A spokesman for Kent Police said it is part of a training programme and is not a response to a specific threat.

They said: "Kent Police, in conjunction with other agencies, will be engaged in a training exercise across four days in November 2017.

"This exercise forms an integral part of a normal training programme and is a necessary and important test of contingency plans.

"It provides invaluable training and experience for all participants.

"We carry out these exercises on a regular basis and this is not in response to any specific threat."

They added: "Members of the public are assured that during the exercise, they will not experience any reduction in the quality of service provided."