A MAN has been pronounced dead in hospital after being shot by police during a suspected armed robbery attempt in a Kent town.

The shooting happened during a suspected raid on the Nationwide building society in New Romney, near Hythe, at about 8pm on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old man died in the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford. He has not yet been named by police.

Three other men have been arrested as part of an operation being carried out by Metropolitan Police officers. They are helping detectives with their enquiries.

A firearm recovered at the scene has been taken away for forensic examination.

It has also emerged that shots were fired on Tuesday night when police swooped on a quiet street in the village of Hamstreet, a few miles from New Romney. This incident is being linked to the shooting in New Romney.

Residents of St Mary's Close, Hamstreet, watched from their windows as about 15 armed officers surrounded a high-powered car and pulled it driver to the floor after shooting out the tyres.

The street was cordoned off while police searched the car and took he driver away from the scene.

Members of the Independent Police Complaints Commission have launched an investigation into the entire incident. Senior Kent and Met police officers are also investigating the circumstances.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS