A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Eastchurch on Tuesday afternoon.

Armed police were continuing their operation to find the gunman today.

As these exclusive pictures by Paul Boddy show, officers searched a BMW and a property in Range Road, Eastchurch.

The injured woman, who is in her 40s, is believed to have been shot in the legs at her home in Bramley Way.

She was released from Medway Maritime Hospital this afternoon and is currently talking to detectives.

Detective Inspector Ian Rogerson, the senior investigating officer, said: "She is deeply distressed at what happened."

"The investigation is being handled by the Kent Police Major Crime Department, and as part of our investigations, we have conducted house to house enquiries in the area.

"We do know that the woman and her attacker were known to each other but that is all we can say at this stage of the investigation."

The arrest took place in Eastchurch at 12.50pm today and the man is now in custody.

Range Road resident Paul Boddy was woken by a phone call at about 1pm and he looked outside to see a row of armed police outside.

He said: "I looked up the road and I could see lots of police of plain clothed and the guys in black."

Mr Boddy, 52, said the officers moved the residents out of one of the houses and then did a search of the premises.

According to Mr Boddy, police had received intelligence relating to the shooting in Eastchurch.

The armed police started to leave the area at about 2.30pm.

Mr Boddy added: "I knew about the shooting and I thought it's too much of a coincidence - it must be connected.

"We were quite surprised because it's a bit unusual to see armed police on a prison estate.

"It's concerning because there are lots of young children down here."

DI Rogerson added: "Although we have made an arrest today enquiries are still ongoing and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Bramley Way area of Eastchurch at around 4.50pm on Tuesday. They are asked to phone the incident room on 01622 654867."