The headquarters of Kent County Council was evacuated this morning after a gas system was activated.

County Hall in Maidstone was shut just after 11am, with the fire service called to the scene.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service Fire said the inert gas system in Sessions House was activated due to an electrical fault.

Staff were cleared from the building, but were allowed back in just before midday.

KCC reported issues with its phone lines and computers, due to damage in the data room. The problem was fixed on Wednesday morning.

It has asked anyone with emergency issues to dial 101.