A 48-year-old man was arrested by police today on suspicion of making threats to kill after a nine-hour siege.

The drama began to unfold at around 2am this morning when police were called to a house in Swanfield Road, Whitstable, after neighbours complained about the man's threatening behaviour.

The man, who was alone in the house, spent hours shouting at officers from a top floor window as specialist negotiators tried to talk him out peacefully.

At one point the police cordon was extended and several police officers retreated from the property.

At about 10.50am it emerged that he had been contained and he was arrested at 11am and taken to Canterbury police station.

Police spokesman Michael Ivatt said later that the man did not have a gun but they were concerned for his safety.

He stressed that no armed officers were involved in the operation and added: "Kent Police is pleased the situation was resolved without anyone being hurt."

*kmfm's Ben Biddulph has also been following developments...