A petrol station has been raided by a man wearing a balaclava.

Police were called to the Esso garage in King’s Road, Herne Bay, after a masked man reportedly came in carrying a bottle and threatened staff before taking cigarettes.

A man was arrested nearby and he remains in custody while inquiries continue.

The Esso station has remained closed since the raid, which happened at about 9.50am today, and police are still there.

A police helicopter has also been seen hovering over the town.

Eyewitnesses also reported a huge police presence outside the Salvation Army building in Richmond Street.

They said there were about four police cars in the area.

A force spokesman said they were there in connection with the raid and the man was arrested near the Salvation Army building.

Another told how he saw police outside the Esso garage this morning.

They said: "I went to go to the petrol station to get coffee and saw two policeman standing outside.

"I heard there were loads of police near Park Surgery."

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay