Armed police have gathered in a supermarket car park this evening.

Stunned shoppers looked on as five patrol cars and three 4x4 vehicles pulled into the Aldi site in Kings Road, Herne Bay shortly before 6.30pm.

Firearms officers and dog units were also at the scene.

As of 6.50pm, each of the vehicles sped off on blue lights in different directions.

The food store remained open, with customers continuing to come and go.

It later materialised that police had been called to reports of a man with a weapon in nearby Mortimer Street.