Armed officers swooped on a quiet close this afternoon following reports of a firearm incident.

It's understood up to seven police cars descended on an address in Watling Place, Sittingbourne, at around 3.10pm.

The road was closed to traffic from East Street to Chiltern Avenue and the helicopter which was also scrambled, landed in a nearby field.

After carrying out checks the call was found to be a hoax.

One witness, who didn't want to be named, said: "My neighbour knocked on my door and let me know.

"There was a lot of commotion and about half a dozen police cars.

"They say it's a hoax but I'm pleased they responded in that manner in case it had been real."

The road was reopened just before 3.55pm.

Ten minutes later one fire engine from Sittingbourne and another from Faversham were called to a house in the same road following reports of a kitchen fire.

Crews assessed the property but found no evidence of a blaze.

It too was put down to being a malicious call.

Kent police says it's not ruling out the possibility of the two being linked.

The case has been passed over to the crime group for investigation and inquiries are ongoing.