A groundsman is set to appear in court following an incident at a boarding school he used to work at.

Officers were called to Dulwich Prep, an independent day and flexible boarding school in Golford Road, Cranbrook during the half-term holidays.

At around 8am on October 28 a member of the public raised concerns about "suspicious items" found outside the facility, which caters for children aged between three and 13 years old.

Some witnesses reported seeing petrol cans by the main entrance.

The following day officers arrested 51-year-old Paul Dudman, of no fixed address, in the Hastings area following enquiries.

He was later charged with offences of harassment and two counts of threatening behaviour.

Dudman appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on October 31, where he was remanded in custody until his next hearing, on Wednesday, November 29.

Headmaster at the school, Paul David, said: "Officers conducted a thorough search of the grounds and subsequently arrested a man in Sussex.

"The individual arrested had previously worked at the school as a member of the grounds team but had left our employment approximately 13 years ago.

"No pupils were present as the school was closed for half term. The police confirmed there was no risk to the school or to the public and all parents were reassured of this fact by a letter immediately after the incident and before pupils returned to school on November 6."