Firefighters rushed to a makeshift homeless camp in Ashford town centre last night after reports of a fire.

Five tents have been pitched under the council car park ramp, near Park Mall.

Firefighters were called around midnight to reports of smoke billowing from under the car park.

Mike Blundrerd, Kent Fire and Rescue Service crew manager, said: "They had made a camp with their tents.

"They were doing no harm to anyone, they were just having a small fire to keep warm.

"The fire was in a wire basket, well controlled and being well looked after.

"There were some very nice people camping there, very talkative and very helpful.

"Our crews attended, made sure it was safe, took any unburnt wood off the fire and gave safety advice before they went to bed."