The fire service was called to a town centre after a wheelie bin caught alight.

Firefighters attended Church Street in Chatham at around 7.45am after smoke was seen billowing at the back of a shop.

One engine was at the scene, near the former Go Outdoors site, and crews used a hose reel jet extinguish a smouldering wheelie bin.

A witness said: "Smoke was seen billowing from the rear of shops and cafés just before 8am this morning.

"It was coming from a large plastic container. A passerby called the fire brigade, who arrived within minutes. The crew had to use ladders to inspect the site as the metal gates were padlocked."

The fire service left the scene after 20 minutes.

The cause is believed to be accidental.