A man armed with a shovel has gone on a smashing rampage in Whitstable causing thousands of pounds of damage to shops and homes.

The incident took place around tea time with parked cars also targeted in the wanton spree along the main shopping area of Oxford Street and the lower end of the High Street plus houses in nearby Cromwell Road. Dozens of businesses and homes were affected in the mayhem.

Among the buildings hit were the town's library, cafes, a kebab house, Chinese takeaway, a charity shop, a butcher and a pharmacy.

The Shepherd Neame pub the Coach and Horses was also damaged as was a hairdresser.

Witnesses say the man, described as black and with long hair and wearing a hoodie, indiscriminately smashed shopfronts on both sides of the road on his trail on destruction.

A large crowd gathered and some people who attempted to approach the man to remonstrate with him but were threatened with the shovel, say bystanders.

David Urmstone, of the Burgate Coffee House, was at the back of his cafe ready to close up for the day.

"I heard this smashing sound and there was general commotion. We had our window smashed and tables and chairs damaged but luckily no customers were in at the time.

"The guy looked spaced out."

Police arrived but the man was not initially apprehended. Officers remained at the scene taking witness statements while businesses arranged for the boarding up of their premises for the evening.

St Alphege School which is in the centre of the main area affected was undamaged. The area is well covered by CCTV cameras.

Grant Manser posted on Facebook: "Products so good they want them when we are closed, thank you the Whitstable community pulling together on the high street."

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called to reports stating a man has damaged a number of windows in Whitstable town centre on the evening of Monday 22 May 2017.

"At present no arrests have been made however officers are currently at the scene and are conducting ongoing enquiries.

"There are no reports of any people being injured."