A man has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following an incident in Kingsley Road, Maidstone, yesterday afternoon.

William David Darby, 39, of Kingsley Road, Maidstone, is due to appear before Maidstone magistrates for a remand hearing today.

Officers were called to an address in Kingsley Road at 11.30am yesterday after a reported dispute.

Armed police and officers with dogs were in attendance as Waterloo Street and Kingsley Road were closed off.

Residents around the Kingsley Road area were asked stay inside their homes while others, who had been away from home when the drama unfolded, sat outside the cordon for several hours waiting to get back in.

The roads were eventually reopened shortly before 4pm.