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 on Friday after reports of someone with a weapon.

It was the second time in just six hours that firearms teams were called to the Island, following another incident in Sheerness that morning.

During the Eastchurch emergency, witnesses described 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.”

A spokesperson from Aquila, the Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, confirmed the school went into lockdown between 1.30pm and 2.30pm before they were released from school at 3pm from the top gate.

She added: “Our pupils' safety and well-being are our top priorities and we were immediately in contact with the police, who recommended we lock down the school for this period.

“All pupils were safe at all times. Our lockdown process is well-established and our pupils were calm and sensible.

“We have put in extra support to ensure our pupils have opportunities to discuss any worries or concerns they may have had with a professional."

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.”

Officers were seen making door-to-door inquiries in Eastchurch.

Since then the man, who is in his 70s, has been bailed pending further investigation.

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

Three men were arrested by armed officers following reports of a disturbance involving people with weapons.

Police were called to the incident in Nursery Close, Sheerness at 6.41am.

Patrols, including firearms teams, attended the scene and two local men were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. They were taken into custody and an investigation is underway.

The two arrested men, aged 56 and 27, and a third man, 23, detained on the same day, were later bailed to return to the police station on September 25 pending further investigation.