A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing a gas leak that led to flats being evacuated in Maidstone.

Several residents in Waterloo Street, by Church Place, were told to leave their homes at around 10.30pm yesterday after a strong smell of gas was reported from one of the flats.

The leak was reported by police, who had been called to the road at 8pm by a member of the public who was concerned about the welfare of a man living there.

Firefighters, police and workers from Southern Gas Network attended while the scene was made safe.

A 24-year-old man was arrested at 11.20pm on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a gas pipe and remains in police custody.

People were able to return to their homes at just after 11pm.