Armed officers and a police helicopter were called after a big cat was spotted by a member of the public near a historic landmark.

Police were called at 10.20am to Mote Road in Ightham, near Sevenoaks, and searched the area nearby.

During their search they "established there was no animal".

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed the National Police Air Service briefly attended the scene.

A spokesman for the force said: "Kent Police was called at 10.23am to Mote Road in Ightham following a report from a member of the public that a large wild cat had been seen in the area.

"Officers, including armed officers, attended as a precaution and, following a search of the area, have established there was no animal and no risk to the public."

Mote Road leads to Ightham Mote, a medieval manor house owned by the National Trust.

'Officers attended and have established there was no animal or risk to the public...'

A cyclist told KentOnline this morning that he was stopped by an officer next to Ightham Mote, who told him to get out of the area as soon as he could and not to leave the roads, because a big cat was on the loose.

A few minutes before being stopped by the officer, the biker saw a helicopter in the sky and heard two gunshots.

Police confirmed that no gunshots were discharged during their search.

Police were unable to tell KentOnline how they were able to confirm there was no animal but the reason has since come to our attention.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks