A fourth man has been arrested by detectives investigating suspected illegal cock-fighting and animal cruelty at a farm near Sittingbourne.

Officers discovered about 170 birds after searching a converted barn in Iwade - several dead cockerels were also found along with a suspected fighting ring.

Now a 52-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of various offences, including animal cruelty.

It came after officers raided a business at Detling Aerodrome on Monday and unearthed three lorry-loads of illicit alcohol - worth an estimated £75,000 in evaded tax. Police said a "substantial quantity of cash" was also seized by officers.

An Iwade man was arrested on suspicion of a variety of theft offences, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug, animal cruelty and proceeds of crime.

He joins a 47-year-old Teynham man and a 20-year-old man from Swanley who were arrested in connection with the same offences, while a 21-year-old Upchurch man was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

WARNING: Graphic image below

Kent Police officers discovered the dead birds - with their combs removed, which is believed to be common in breeding birds for fighting - in a converted barn in Raspberry Hill last Monday.

Other searches uncovered about 100 wraps of a suspected class A drug, a substantial amount of cash and suspected stolen vehicles.

Several dogs were also seized on suspicion of welfare offences in breach of the Animal Welfare Act.

All four arrested men have now been released on police bail until April 9 pending further inquiries.