A local government reporter stood his ground after being wrongly asked to leave a council meeting.

Alan Watkins, of the Medway Messenger, stayed seated in the Corn Exchange in Rochester as Medway councillors took a vote to exclude the press and public.

He explained afterwards that he had refused to leave because the council had not followed the proper procedures in passing the resolution.

"It was simple. I refused because the council had not passed a formal recommendation under the Local Government Act 1972 giving its reasons for exclusion," he said.

"Just because the issue is mentioned in the agenda and the council votes to exclude you, doesn't mean that that is a good or a valid legal reason to leave."

Eventually chief executive Neil Davies intervened, a lawful proposal was put forward and Alan left until a deciding vote was taken.

The mayor had recommended exclusion of the press and public while the council debated the purchase of the Medway Tunnel for a pound.

The tunnel - built 12 years ago - urgently needs modernisation, but the cash-strapped council has been told the government will not fund it.

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