POLICE are investigating the cause of a fire which destroyed a barn at Chartham, near Canterbury.

Up to 25 firefighters tackled the blaze in Baker’s Lane which could be seen for miles around as flames and smoke engulfed the timber and metal building.

It contained straw and hay and wooden tack rooms, but no animals at the time of the incident shortly before 9.30am on Saturday.

Canterbury blue watch manager Mark Jones said: "At the height of the fire we had five appliances at the scene but we managed to bring it under control with three water jets.

"The building measured about 12 metres by six metres but about 80 per cent of it has been destroyed and the rest badly damaged.

"We have logged the cause as unknown and possibly suspicious and the police are investigating."