A menagerie of animals had a lucky escape after they were rescued from a burning shed.

When a crew from Strood fire station were called to a tree alight in Bush Road, Cuxton, on Thursday afternoon, little did they know they would be rescuing dozens of pets.

When they arrived at the scene the blaze had spread to a nearby shed, which was home to a collection of guinea pigs, rats and rabbits.

Thanks to the quick actions of the fire fighters 14 guinea pigs, one albino rat and a number of rabbits were saved from the inferno.

The RSPCA were called to the scene to take care of the animals.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "This certainly wasn't your average rescue."