A long-serving magistrate, council boss and former school governor who was accused of distributing indecent images of children says the ordeal has taken an extreme toll on his health.

Keith Brown - who served on the mid-Kent magistrates' bench and is chairman of Hawkhurst Parish Council - was arrested on October 15 before being released on Thursday, February 20.

In a short statement the 64-year-old, of Cranbrook Road, said: "After a very proper and thorough investigation by Kent Police, which of course had extreme consequences on my health for four and a half months, I am relieved to be exonerated from any wrong doing.

"Also my thanks must go to all of those who committed themselves to supporting me during this very difficult part of my life."

No one else was involved in the investigation.

Until the end of August, he also served as the chairman of governors at Hawkhurst Primary School, in Rye Road, and remains as a governor.

Mr Brown is an optician and owned Keith Brown Opticians in West Malling's Swan Street before he sold it shortly before Christmas.

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