ABOUT 100 people had to be evacuated from Larkfield Leisure Centre, near Maidstone, last night when a fire broke out.

Swimmers still in their swimming costumes and other users of the centre in New Hythe Lane were evacuated after the blaze was discovered just before 5pm in an equipment cupboard.

Staff handed out aluminium blankets for people to keep warm as they stood in the car park while fire crews, some in breathing apparatus, dealt with the fire.

Four fire crews were called to the scene, along with an ambulance crew, although no-one was was injured.

A children's swimming class had just begun when the fire alarms sounded and people using the dance studio also had to abandon their class.

Fitness consultant Matt Hughes, who discovered the blaze, said: "I walked into the studio to put the vacuum away and there was black smoke swirling around as I opened the door. I went to see what was going on but the smoke was too thick. Then managers arrived and the fire alarms were set off."

Leisure centre marketing manager Sara Peters said the evacuation had gone ahead smoothly.