A man has been charged with attempted murder after armed police swarmed a flat.

Officers were called to a disturbance at a flat above Traga Laundrette on the corner of Terminus Road and Tonbridge Road in Barming at around 11.30am on Tuesday.

Patrick Matthews, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, was charged with one count of attempted murder. Witnesses who spoke yesterday believe the victim is his mother.

Paramedics also attended and a woman was taken from the property on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace.

She was treated for serious injuries and remains in hospital but is in a stable condition.

Neighbours recalled hearing banging and shouts for help amongst the commotion.

Others said they saw a distressed girl running around outside before police arrived.

The 41-year-old Matthews was also charged with possession of cannabis.

Matthews was remanded in custody and was due at Medway Magistrates Court yesterday, but this has been delayed with a new date yet to be announced.