A pub is at risk of losing its licence after a police raid discovered guns lying around the premises.

Police fear the The Kings Head in Maidstone is unsafe for customers and are asking for the licence to be revoked following a search of the pub.

During the raid on the pub in Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, on Wednesday, February 8, officers found a number of guns in the bar area, including two imitation firearms, a BB gun, a starter revolver and an ASP baton in the bar area along with a supply of ammunition upstairs.

Four shotguns were also found at the premises. Although these were legally held under a shotgun licence, only three of them were correctly stored, while the fourth was found standing at the top of the stairs.

The application said drugs were also found in the upstairs rooms in the form of small bags of cannabis and bags of white powder which police believed were connected with the supply of drugs.

Kent Police want to revoke the pub's licence due fears about the safety of the pub's customers.

It stated: "It is the belief of Kent Police that this premises, if allowed to continue to operate unchecked, represents a serious and real danger to the safety of the public. It is clear from the location where items were seized from that the premises licence holders were aware of them and permitted them to remain on site.

"The presence of multiple weapons within the public areas gives rise to concerns with regards to the intended use or need for these items and believe it is indicative of an involvement of those present in serious crime.

"Due to the serious nature of weapons being in the bar gives Kent Police concern in the management’s ability in running a safe pub."

Kent Police are requesting the premises supervisor be removed and the pub licence be revoked.

The landlady of The Kings Head declined to comment.