KENT Police is on heightened alert following today's announcement that terrorists could be trying to target transatlantic flights from Britain.

There is nothing to suggest any specific threat to anywhere in the county.

However, in response to the national alert, there is an increased police presence, including some armed officers, at key sites including the Channel ports, Eurotunnel, Manston Airport and Ashford International station.

A police spokesman said: "People in Kent and Medway are advised to be extra vigilant for any suspicious activity and to call the Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 if they have any information or see anything suspicious."

Scotland Yard said a plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit "mass murder on an unimaginable scale" has been disrupted.

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled in hand luggage on to as many as 10 aircraft.

Police were searching premises with 21 people in custody after arrests in the London area and the Midlands.

High security is causing delays at all UK airports. The threat level to the UK has been raised by MI5 to "critical".

Kent International Airport manager Phil Vann was awoken early with the news.

He said: "It’s not just Manston it is the entire UK airport network.

"In the early hours of this morning the Government issued some new guidance about the processing of bags on airlines. I got the call early and brought in my management team to work out a strategy.

"Passengers were met at the terminal and we gave them some documentation that supports the guidelines. Assisted by my team we’ve had a really smooth operation this morning."

If you have been directly affected by the heightened security, please email the Kent Messenger Group dartfordmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk