A bomb disposal team and police descended on Botany Bay in Broadstairs this morning as several residents were evacuated from their homes.

Three suspicious devices had been found in the Marine Drive area of the town.

Eyewitnesses say up to four police cars and one explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) van were at the bottom of Kingsgate Avenue on the top of the cliff, between the Botany Bay Hotel and The Captain Digby Pub.

Officers attended to assist the Ministry of Defence's team and set up a cordon.

Bosses from Shepherd Neame, which owns Botany Bay Hotel, provided shelter to the occupants of three houses evacuated close by.

"Our hotel in Marine Drive was contacted by police this morning to ask if it could provide somewhere for residents of three evacuated properties to shelter while the operation is being carried out," the brewery's managing director Jonathon Swaine said.

“We have several residents currently at our site, who are being supplied with tea and coffee while they are unable to go back to their homes.

"Our hotel continues to trade as normal, and is unaffected by the operation.”

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 8.17am to a report that three suspicious devices had been found in the Marine Drive area of Broadstairs.

"Officers attended to assist the EOD and a cordon was set up as a precaution. The items were confirmed to be safe."