Dozens of firefighters tackled a huge cornfield blaze near a school and houses in Northfleet.

Smoke billowed into the air on Sunday, as flames tore across three fields off Westcott Avenue.

Around 50 firefighters battled to bring the 500m square blaze - alongside Wrotham Road - under control.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines, a water unit and a command support team were sent to the scene at 2pm.

The blaze started when a cornfield caught alight and spread across two other fields of cut crop.

The fire is considered to be suspicious and Kent police have been informed.

Crews surrounded the fire and used main jets, hose reel jets and a fire-fogging unit on an all-terrain vehicle to tackle the flames for two hours.

They prevented the blaze from damaging the playing fields St George's Church of England School as well as nearby houses.

Firefighters had extinguished the flames by 3.20pm, but were still dealing with some hotspots later into the afternoon.