Fire crews remain at the scene of a barn fire which is now being left to burn out.

Crews were called to The Street in Hamstreet after the fire was reported at 4pm yesterday, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky.

Residents were told by police and the fire service to remain indoors and keep windows closed while they battled the flames.

A spokesman for the fire service said the crews maintained a presence there all night in an effort to douse the flames in the 200 sq metre barn.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said one crew remained this morning to turn over the hay bales and to damp down any remaining hot spots.