A police helicopter scoured central Canterbury for three hours last night after reports of a man with a gun in Westgate Gardens.

The helicopter, equipped with a heat-sensing device, went up at around 10pm and circled the city for several hours.

Kent Police said firearms officers also searched the gardens and surrounding area, but did not find anyone or any weapons.

Force spokesman Adam Westgarth said: "The search was stood down when the area was deemed safe."

Residents took to Twitter to complain that they were kept awake by the constant hum of the helicopter.