A man has died after a disturbance in the grounds of a castle.

It is understood rocks were being thrown from by someone close to Lullingstone Castle in Eynsford, near Dartford, and a man later died at the scene. The Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating the incident.

A police cordon was put in place last night following the incident.

A police helicopter was seen flying over and around Lullingstone Castle, while the roads nearby were sealed off.

Police were called at about 5.20pm and ambulance crews were also seen in the area.

Armed officers were also on the scene and other officers were understood to be searching the fields close to the historic manor house, with one officer standing guard by a cordon.

One man who didn't want to be named, said: "I came out and saw armed police running up the road. Other officers told me it was now a crime scene."

A lady walking her dog on Friday morning said: “We’ve always walked along here and it’s been quiet and peaceful. It’s completely surreal seeing police here and to hear a man has died. You would never expect it.”

Police spokesman Chris Herbert said: "We were called at 5.21pm to reports of a disturbance in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle, Eynsford.

"It was reported that rocks were being thrown.

"A man later died at the scene and officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating."

Anyone with information is urged to contact Kent Police on 101, quoting 28-1127.

The castle and grounds form part of one of England’s oldest family estates, dating back to the Domesday Book in 1086.

It is owned by the Hart-Dyke family and attracts visitors from around the world to see its World Garden of exotic plants.

Tom Hart-Dyke regularly appears in the media to talk about the gardens.

In 2000, he made headlines when he was kidnapped by Colombian rebels while hunting for orchids.

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