Armed police used a Taser to subdue a pensioner suspected of having firearms after descending on a residential street.

Specialist officers, including a dog handler, were called to Northdown Road in Margate at about 10.40pm last night following reports that a man was armed.

A 69-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms, and weapons and drugs were seized.

A police spokesman said: "Due to a failure to comply with officers' requests, a taser was discharged prior to the arrest.

"The suspect, a 69-year-old man from Margate, was taken to hospital as a precaution and then taken into custody.

"Three firearms, suspected to be a blank firing pistol and two air weapons, were later seized at an address along with a quantity of cannabis plants."

Neighbours reported dramatic scenes with numerous police cars descending on the road.

A bus was also stopped by police and all the passengers told to get off.

A police spokesman added: "Due to the nature of the incident, officers were required to put in place a cordon in the street, within which there was already a bus in situ.

"The occupants of the bus were moved to a place of safety as a precaution."

Police remain at the scene as part of their investigation into the incident.

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