A road was closed off as armed police descended on a house after people heard “gunshots”.

Firearms officers were called to Eastchurch High Street, on Sheppey, just after 12.30pm today after reports of someone with a weapon.

Witnesses describe seeing a number of police vehicles and an ambulance at the scene and hearing “lots of sirens”. Several people reported hearing four or five gun shots.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “It all started at about 12pm. I heard four gun shots and then there were police everywhere.

“The armed police went into a house.

“I’ve lived here 20 years and never had anything like this happen before. It is usually quiet. You don’t expect something like this to happen on your doorstep.”

Another man said he had been trying to make his way to the pub and was turned away by police.

One resident reported that nearby Eastchurch Primary School “went into lockdown” and parents were called to collect their children.

Another woman said: “A friend has a son at the school and some children were out on the playing field when they heard the gun shots. The children were terrified. They were rushed inside.”

Kent Police says the force was called to the scene by the South East Coast Ambulance Service after concerns for the welfare of two people.

A spokesperson added: “One of those present in the property was reported to be in possession of a weapon and patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene.

“A local man was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident and taken into custody.”

Police say the arrest is not connected to another firearms incident in Sheerness earlier in the day.

Officers have since been seen making door-to door enquiries in Eastchurch, with one armed officer still at the scene.