A man has been charged after armed police descended on a Maidstone estate.

Hon Cheong Chu, from Barming, is accused of assault occasioning actually bodily harm, possessing a prohibited firearm and possessing ammunition.

The 55-year-old was arrested after officers cordoned off roads near his home address in Tarragon Road, on Wednesday night.

The area is known locally as the Herb Estate.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Maidstone Magistrates' Court today.