New regulations coming into force today aimed at preventing the misuse of drones have been welcomed by operators in Kent.

The government has fast-tracked changes to the law after huge disruption at Gatwick airport just before Christmas was believed to have been caused by the devices.

Families from Kent were among around 110,000 passengers affected when 760 flights were grounded amid fears drones circling the runway could bring down an aircraft.

The no-fly zone around major airports is being extended from 0.6 miles to three miles.

Police could also be given more powers to stop and search people using drones.

Kent-based drone operator Matt Perry, who who has a license to fly drones commercially and regularly flies around the Barming area, welcomed the new regulations and said much more could be done.

"Later in the year we're going to have registration of drones," he said.

"The principal about the regulation of selling drones so when you purchase it your details get registered.

"The other thing is when you are buying a drone you can maybe you should go on a training course to learn how to fly with them."