POLICE seized 286 imitation firearms from a market on the Isle of Sheppey at the weekend.

An Essex man is due at Sittingbourne police station today after members of the Island Neighbourhood Team seized the imitation weapons in Sheerness on Saturday.

Sgt Neil Kimber said: "We take incidents involving imitation firearms seriously as often people mistake them for real guns which causes anxiety and fear within the community.

"I hope that this action will make people think twice before taking an imitation firearm out in public."