An elderly man was rescued from his Woodchurch home by a neighbour after a fire gutted the front room of his house.

According to Kent Fire and Rescue Service, crews from Tenterden, Ashford and Aldington were called to the property in Susans Hill at about 7pm Friday.

The 87-year-old was taken to the William Harvey Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but was not thought to be seriously injured.

The blaze broke out after a coal fire got out of control and set a nearby chair alight. The crews came away at about 8.15pm.