A 44-year-old man has appeared via video link in court charged with robbing two Kent banks.

Martyn Weldrick, of Ormonde Road, Hythe, appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday morning charged with two counts of robbery following incidents at NatWest branches in Hythe and Coxheath.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, November 21.

The charges relate to two robberies at NatWest banks – the first in High Street, Hythe, on Wednesday, October 1, and the second in Heath Road, Coxheath, on Monday.

Police were called to Coxheath at 11.25am after witnesses reported seeing a man enter the bank and threaten staff, demanding cash. No weapon was seen.

He then allegedly fled the bank with cash and drove off in a vehicle parked nearby.

Ash Sutton of Angels Independent Family Funeral Services, which is next to the bank, said: "The first I knew of it police were putting cones in the road, the next thing they were swarming everywhere."

The branch remained closed for the remainder of the day with customers encouraged to use the Sutton Road bank as an alternative.

It was announced in August that the branch will close its doors on Thursday, November 27.

Detectives investigating the report have urged anyone who saw anything to contact them on 01622 604355.

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