A 61-year-old man is expected to stand trial accused of making a bomb hoax that led to flats being evacuated.

Tony Gannon appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today (Weds) where he pleaded not guilty to communicating false information to induce the belief that there was an object liable to explode or ignite at a flat in, Newgate House in Sweyn Road, Cliftonville, on July 19 this year.

It was reported at the time that police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended the property at about 9am, a cordon was set up, and residents from 16 homes were evacuated for six hours.

Gannon, of Sweyn Road, was arrested that same day at the scene.

A trial date has now been fixed for March 13 but defence counsel Kieran Brand told Judge Simon Taylor KC that a psychiatric report would be obtained.

Gannon appeared in court via video link from HMP Elmley in Sheppey and was again remanded in custody at the end of the hearing.