POLICE sealed of part of central Chatham during an armed siege following an attempted post-office robbery.

For four hours police officers wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying automatic rifles surrounded a flat in Luton Arches where the suspected gunman was thought to be in hiding.

The drama began with an attempted robbery at Luton Post Office at about 3.30pm yesterday.

Police say a man wearing a crash helmet reported to have a handgun walked in and demanded cash but fled the shop empty-handed.

Just after 5pm police marksmen surrounded the flat at the top of Magpie Hall Road as the suspect was believed to be inside. They had all exits from the flat covered from about 5.30pm. Police sealed off the area until just after 9pm.

Today they were still hunting the suspect. He is described as 6ft, slim and was wearing jeans and a red sweatshirt. He was wearing a red and white motorcycle helmet

Anybody who can help police is asked to telephone 01634 884252.