A long-serving magistrate, council boss and former school governor has been arrested on suspicion of distributing indecent images of children.

Keith Brown - who has served on the mid-Kent magistrates' bench and is the chairman of Hawkhurst Parish Council - was arrested on October 15, it emerged today.

The 64-year-old, of Cranbrook Road, has been released on bail until Wednesday, December 18 pending further investigations.

No other people are involved in the investigation.

Until the end of August, he was the chairman of governors at Hawkhurst Primary School, in Rye Road, and remains as a governor.

Brown is the chairman of Hawkhurst Parish Council and has served the area for more than 20 years as a parish councilor.

In a statement, the council said: "The chairman, Keith Brown, is at present away from the council on ill health grounds following recent medical treatment.

"The council is aware of current pending legal issues of a private matter surrounding Cllr Brown and will not be commenting further.

"The parish council will not be speculating on this and would ask that Mr Brown's privacy at this difficult time be respected by everyone."

Brown has stood for the Liberal Democrats in two general elections.

In 1997, he stood as a candidate for Tonbridge and Malling and came third. Four years later, he came second in a Tunbridge Wells poll.

Last year, he failed in a bid to become a member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council representing the Hawkhurst and Sandhurst ward.

He was also a borough councilor between 1994 and 1998.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "A 64-year-old man from Hawkhurst was arrested on 15 October on suspicion of distributing indecent photos of children.

"He was released on conditional bail until December 18 while investigations continue."

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