A Maidstone man charged with possessing a cache of weapons, including a rocket launcher and four assault rifles, has appeared in court.

George Flisher, 34, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates Court accused of a string of firearms offences.

Among these was possession of a rocket launcher capable of projecting a stabilised missile, and four AK47 rifles, all adapted so that ammunition could be successively discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger.

Flisher, of Pope Street, was also charged with possessing ammunition, including four .357 Magnum rounds and two .38 Special rounds, without a certificate, and selling an SA80 assault rifle.

The charges were made after a bomb disposal unit was called to a house in Pope Street on November 24, 2016.

Witnesses reported seeing officers carrying evidence bags as well as men in camouflage.

It was understood to have been an operation led by the Ministry of Defence and was the second time in three years the bomb squad had been active in the same street.

Also appearing in court were Dominic Virjee, 45, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, and Adam Turner, 35, of Firhill Road, Lewisham.

Mr Turner is charged with possessing an SA80 assault rifle and an Argentinian rifle and Mr Virjee is charged with selling an SA80 assault rifle.

No pleas were entered for any of the charges and the three men were granted unconditional bail to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on March 2.