A police helicopter was scrambled to Sittingbourne this afternoon as emergency services descended on the town in their droves in the hunt for a knifeman.

Armed officers were seen along with a dog unit and two 4x4 vehicles in Rectory Road and Canterbury Road.

Eyewitnesses described seeing a young man being held by police.

The helicopter, which was described as flying "very, very low" has since left the area.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 1.23pm to reports of a man possessing a knife in a public place, in an area close to Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne.

"Officers attended the scene and carried out a search for the suspect. A man was later arrested and taken into custody."