Firefighters were called to deal with a suspected chemical alert at a bank in Ashford town centre.

Lloyds Bank at the junction of the High Street and Bank Street was closed to customers with a sign on the door saying the branch was shut due to a "chemical spillage".

Firefighters were called to the Lloyds branch at the corner of Ashford High Street and Bank Street at 11am today.

Two fire engines from the town's fire station were initially called out and crews says the cause was delivered heating oil placed into the wrong piping.

An Ashford Fire Station spokesman said: “The material can be flammable and cause fumes so the bank was closed to customers as a precaution.”

The firefighters kept the scene safe until specialist contractors arrived to clear up.

Customers trying to make last-minute withdrawals before the branch closed for Christmas were able to still take their cash from its hole in the wall machine.

The sign on the bank's door also apologised to customers for any inconvenience.