A MAN is in police custody today after an incident in which a woman and a teenage girl were held hostage in a flat for more than six hours.

Police, including armed response officers, went to Timber Bank, Chatham, a quiet cul-de-sac, at about 1.20am this morning.

At least half a dozen police vehicles and a large number of officers closed off the road, just off Churchill Avenue. A man, aged 43, was later led away in handcuffs by officers. It is believed the suspect had been armed with a knife.

It is thought that a 46-year-old woman and her daughter, 14, were both held hostage. No one suffered any injuries. The drama ended at about 7.20am.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "I can confirm that armed response units were in attendance, but no shots were deployed. It is thought to be a domestic incident.

"The man has now been taken into custody at Rochester Police Station and is currently being questioned on suspicion of false imprisonment by our detectives."