Children had been spending nights in a caravan parked on a driveway of a house until the day before it was set alight in suspicious circumstances, it has been revealed.

Detectives have now issued a witness appeal about the incident, in which a brick was also thrown through the window of the house in Cygnet Close, Larkfield, near Maidstone.

Police want to hear from anyone with information, particularly about vehicles leaving Swallow Road or people seen acting suspiciously around the same time.

Insp Justin Watts, Tonbridge and Malling neighbourhood officer, said: "This fire could have had fatal consequences because until the previous day children from the house had been sleeping in the caravan."

A 22-year-old man has been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident.

• Anyone with information about the blaze - which happened just after 11pm on Monday, January 5 - is urged to contact police on 01732 379217 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Information can also be emailed to appeals.westkent@kent.pnn.police.uk >>>

• For more news from the Maidstone area visit kentmessenger.co uk >>>