Seven people have appeared in court after the UK's 'largest ever gun seizure of its kind' unearthed 22 automatic rifles and nine machine guns.

This huge arsenal of weapons was found stashed in suitcases and holdalls in the back of a van in Kent .

Officers seized 22 automatic assault rifles, nine Skorpion machine pistols, 58 magazines, two silencers and around 1000 live rounds of ammunition at Cuxton Marina, near Rochester, Kent.

The discovery was made after National Crime Agency officers stopped a van leaving the marina as part of an investigation into the importation of weapons.

Skorpion machine pistols seized during a raid in Kent
Weapons: Skorpion machine pistols were also seized

It followed the arrival of a motor cruiser, which had travelled to the UK from France.

Eight people – seven men and a woman all aged between 24 and 58 – were detained by the NCA’s Armed Operations Unit (AOU) and Kent Police Tactical Firearms Command.

Seven have now appeared at Medway Magistrates Court charged with importing and possessing firearms.

magazines and ammunition seized during a raid in Kent
Discovery: Magazines and ammunition were found in suitcases and holdalls

The court heard officers also found smoke grenades, flash bangs, pepper spray, handcuffs, bullet proof vests and a Metropolitan Police service uniform.

Tom Guest, prosecuting, said: “We say they are not merely deadly weapons but designed to enable persons to carry out extreme danger.”

The defendants all appeared via video link and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on September 4.

Cuxton Marina
Scene: Cuxton Marina in Kent

Those charged are David Payne, 42; Jennifer Arthy, 41; John Smale, 58; Christopher Owen, 29, all of Rochester; Harry Shilling, 22, of Swanley; Michael Defraine, 29, of Bexleyheath; and Richard Rye, 24, of Swanley.

A 28-year-old man from Swanley has been released on bail pending further enquiries until September 24.