Firefighters are warning people of the dangers of bonfires after a man suffered serious burns.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) were called to an address in Breadlands Road, Willesborough, on Thursday night after a bonfire got out of control.

Two crews were sent to the scene to extinguish the fire and the man, in his 30s, was taken to hospital.

KFRS risk reduction manager Rob Sherwood said: "The man suffered burns to his face and arms which shows how easily a bonfire can spread and cause injuries or damage."

KFRS have issued the following safety tips for people burning garden waste:

Never leave a bonfire unattended.

Set well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs.

Before lighting, check that no animals are hiding inside it.

Build the stack so it's stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side.

Never use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire.

Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, and tins of paint or bottles.

Keep children away from the fire.

Keep a buckets of water or garden hose ready in case an emergency.

Once the fire has burnt out, before you leave it pour a bucket of water on the embers.

For further free advice on fire safety call 0800 9237000 or visitwww.kent.fire-uk.org