Bomb squads were called to a river this morning after witnesses reported seeing a wartime shell.

Kent Police were first called to the incident on the River Medway, near Forstal Road in Aylesford, just after 2.30pm yesterday, and closed the towpath overnight until the arrival of a navy bomb disposal team at 6.47am this morning.

However, despite local concerns, the object was confirmed as a gas cylinder and does not pose any risk to members of the public.

As a result, boaters were told that Allington Lock was closed to all craft yesterday.

The towpath has been reopened and the cylinder will be removed by an environmental team.