A man has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after a caravan was set alight at a traveller site off the A249.

Billy Smith Snr, of Miller Close, Kemsley, was arrested after officers were called to land at Stockbury Valley in the early hours of Saturday.

A mobile home and a number of nearby vehicles were on fire.

Smith was also charged with one count of arson and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

He has been remanded in custody to appear Maidstone Crown Court on June 4.

A further five people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Three men aged 54, 23 and 20 and from Stockbury were arrested on suspicion of assault. They have been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 1 June.

A 28-year-old man from Kemsley was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson. He remains in custody as inquiries continue.

A 22-year-old woman from Sheerness was arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. She has been bailed, pending further enquiries, until May 31.

All of the people involved are known to each other and officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are conducting ongoing enquiries.