A man is reported to have died in a house fire, while another man in his 70s was rescued and taken to hospital.

The man, who was in his 30s, has been named locally as Gareth Day. According to his Facebook account, he had attended The Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells and was a former IT development officer.

The fire broke out at 10pm, in Woodland Way, Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells, on Thursday.

A total of 35 firefighters and five fire engines were at the scene and did not leave until 10.30am Friday.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman confirmed an investigation team remained there until 8.30pm.

She said: "When the first crews arrived they found a well-developed fire to the rear of the two-storey property which had spread to the roof.

"A man in his 70s was rescued from the house and was given first-aid treatment by crews before he was placed in the care of paramedics."

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and provided assistance to crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service.

"One person died at the scene and a second person, a man aged in his 70s, was taken to a local hospital for treatment to smoke inhalation.

"Inquiries to establish the identity of the deceased, and the cause of the fire, are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner."