Dramatic images show the moment armed police tackled a man in the street thought to be carrying a gun.

The pictures show a 44-year-old man from Ashford as he is grabbed by a policeman while fellow officers stand with their guns pointed at the suspect.

Kent Police were called at 10.50am yesterday to reports that a man was carrying a gun in Ashford High Street.

The pictures were taken shortly after they were scrambled to the scene outside the HSBC in the town.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm.

He has been released pending further investigation.