Fire crews were called to a block of flats eight times in the space of a week following arson attacks and false alarms.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service say firefighters first attended The Hive in Northfleet on Monday July 22 and then a further seven times until Monday July 29.

On two occasions crews extinguished a fire in the base of the bin chute and both fires are being treated as suspicious.

They were then called again to reports of smoke in the building, which turned out to be remnants of smoke from the earlier fires.

On three other occasions firefighters attended the same block when fire alarms were set off deliberately without good cause.

Crews proactively visited the site again on August 29 as a result of the recent incidents there.

Police are investigating the suspicious incidents, and the fire service is working closely with Gravesham Borough Council.

Officers are also investigating rubbish fires at the flats earlier in the month, with incidents reported shortly after midnight on Sunday July 7, at around 9pm on Wednesday July 10, 11.30am on Thursday July 11, 10pm on Saturday July 20, 2pm on Saturday July 27, and 10pm on Sunday July 28.

No arrests have been made but enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and officers are keen to speak to anyone who has information.

Sergeant Carli Deacon, from the force's Gravesham Community Safety Unit, said: "Arson is a serious offence that endangers life and risks causing substantial damage to properties.

"We are working closely with the fire service and Gravesham Borough Council to share safety advice with residents and our officers have also attended the site, alongside council staff, to speak with people living in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01474 366149, quoting 46/142133/19, or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111 or by completing an online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend