A man accused of robbing a takeaway and pharmacy armed while brandishing a knife will appear in court next month.

Wayne Cannon, of no fixed address, was charged on Wednesday (May 15) with two counts of robbery and two counts of possessing a knife in a public place.

It comes after police were called to a reported robbery at a takeaway in The Parade in Margate, where the suspect was allegedly seen with a knife and cash was stolen from the till during the evening of Wednesday, May 8.

A robbery at a pharmacy in St Mildred's Road in Westgate-on-Sea on Monday afternoon (May 13) was also reported, where staff were reportedly threatened with a knife and medication was swiped.

Mr Cannon, 48, appeared via virtual link at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday) where he was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on June 13.

Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson said: "This investigation forms part of an ongoing crackdown on knife crime across the county.

"Kent Police works in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, such as British Transport Police and neighbouring forces, to detect and disrupt those believed to be carrying weapons and who may be linked to associated offences, such as supplying drugs."

For the latest crime news and stories, join the Kent Crime group on Facebook.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet