A man has been taken to hospital following reports he doused himself with petrol in a five-hour stand-off with emergency crews.

Five roads in Paddock Wood were closed throughout the morning and afternoon while police, ambulance crews and firefighters dealt with the incident.

Officers were first called to Mile Oak Road just before 9.30am.

The nature of the incident near the Elm Tree pub was described by witnesses as "a stand-off" that lasted several hours.

It had been reported that enforcement officers were called to a lay-by opposite the pub earlier this morning before the emergency services arrived.

Road closures were in place on Mile Oak Road, Queen Street, Church Road, Pearsons Green Road and Lucks Lane but are now re-opening.

Officers were helped by fire and ambulance crews, with witnesses reporting more than half a dozen vehicles on the scene.

Traffic was diverted via local routes.

A police spokesperson said: "At around 2.30pm the man involved was passed to the care of the South East Coat Ambulance Service and is being taken to hospital. He is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries."