People were evacuated from their homes after the discovery of a suspected bomb.

Police were at the scene with neighbours standing outside their homes in Orbit Close, Walderslade.

One resident in the cul-de-sac said she and her neighbours' homes were evacuated at about 11.45am today.

She said: "One of my neighbours who has recently passed worked for bomb disposal and when he worked for bomb disposal he had taken something home with him.

"When his family went to clear his house, they found certain devices, so they had to call it in."

The neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: "Residents are pretty calm but everybody wants to go back inside as it's quite cold."

A family said they were back safe in their home at 2.13pm after the emergency services had left. They had stayed at a relative's house until they were allowed back in.

They counted three fire engines, three ambulances, multiple police cars, and one bomb disposal truck.

The woman said: "It was alarming, quite a shock to get a knock at the door to be told to evacuate.

"But, as it was the other end of the close, I felt quite safe behind the cordon.

"Many people just waited on the grass behind the police tape.

"We appreciate that the emergency services were doing all they could.

"It took approximately two or two-and-a-half hours in total, which is pretty good considering what could have happened!"

A spokesman from the police said: "We were called at 11.45am on Saturday to concerns about an item believed to be suspicious, at an address in Orbit Close, Chatham.

"Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution while the Ministry of Defence EOD attended. The item was declared safe and patrols left the scene at around 2pm."