A man has been arrested after a bomb squad descended on two homes.

Police initially searched a house in William Pitt Avenue in Deal where two suspicious items were found before continuing their inquiries at a property in Marine Parade in Folkestone.

Air weapons and ammunition were among the items uncovered at both locations by experts from the Ministry of Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

Officers have since arrested man in his 50s from Folkestone in connection with the incident. He has been released pending further investigation.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 4.30pm on Tuesday, July 2 after a suspicious item was discovered at a property in William Pitt Avenue, Deal.

"Officers attended the scene and put in place a cordon to assist experts from the Ministry of Defence EOD team whilst they assessed the object, which was found to be safe.

"During this time residents in the nearby vicinity were asked to leave their properties for approximately one to two hours as a precaution.

"On Wednesday, July 3 police continued to carry out enquiries at the premises and at another property in Marine Parade, Folkestone.

"More suspicious items were discovered at both locations and the EOD was called to assess them.

"A number of items have been recovered from the properties including air weapons and ammunition."

More than 30 homes in William Pitt Avenue and nearby Middle Deal Road were evacuated for up to two hours after the initial discovery on Tuesday afternoon.

A 50 metre cordon was placed while MOD experts arriving in bomb disposal vans assessed the object, but the item found was deemed to be safe.

A bomb disposal van returned to the site, approximately 20 hours after the initial alarm was raised, at 12.30pm.

Police confirmed that during their ongoing enquires a second suspicious item was located. It too was found to be safe.

Speaking at the scene, resident Lisa Brett told KentOnline: "There's been a police presence all night, just sitting outside in a car.

"There's two unmarked land rover type vehicles that belong to the police here.

"There's men in protective vests who've been in and out all morning."

It's understood that the property, which has a 'sold' sign outside it, has been vacant since mid-May.

Home-owners in the vicinity were instructed to leave their properties for up to two hours on Tuesday evening, with some taking refuge in neighbouring properties.

Ms Brett, 48, whose home was just outside of the cordon took in her cousin and four children until 11pm.

She said: "Anyone who wasn't evacuated was just advised to stay indoors and close their windows in case of an explosion."

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