Armed police were scrambled when a man was reportedly threatened by a gang with a firearm in Thanet last night.

Officers and a helicopter were called to Gordon Road, in Westwood, near Broadstairs, at about 7pm.

The victim was allegedly held-up by four men with a firearm before they left the area in a grey Mini Cooper.

Kent Police said firearms officers stopped a vehicle at the St Nicholas-at-Wade roundabout on the A299 at 8.15pm.

Three men from London were arrested and remain in custody today.

The carriageway was closed by police for around half-an-hour.

Gordon Road was shut at the junctions with Crossways Boulevard and Star Lane by police between 9.15pm and 10pm while officers searched a property in connection with the incident.

Police believe all those involved are known to each other.

The three men in police custody are a 26-year-old, from Croydon, a 23-year-old from Stockwell and a 27-year-old from Croydon.