Two men have appeared in court following an armed robbery at a village post office.

Anthony Sweetman, 32, and Ben Medhurst, 41, are accused of raiding the store in Ash Road, Hartley, in September.

The pair allegedly burst in with a gun and made off with up to £700.

Sweetman, of Waterdales, Northfleet, was arrested two days later while Medhurst, of Burch Road, Gravesend, was detained a month after the incident.

On Tuesday they were both charged with robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Sweetman was also charged with driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

Both appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court where Sweetman was remanded to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, January 10, and Medhurst was bailed to appear before the court on the same date.