A 25-year-old man has appeared in court charged with arson after eight people were rescued from a burning building.

They were in first and second-floor flats above The Magpie’s Nest in Palace Street, Canterbury, when the shop caught fire early on Saturday.

James Marsh, of Craddock Road, Canterbury, appeared before the city's magistrates on Tuesday accused of arson and endangering the lives of the eight people.

He was also accused of burglary at the gift shop and burglary at the Little Italy Restaurant in St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, earlier this month.

Marsh was committed to Canterbury Crown Court and remanded in custody until December 11.