Fire crews spent nearly eight hours tackling a blaze at a derelict building in Aylesham this morning.

They received a 999 call to the former youth centre in Ackholt Road at 12.20am.

The first crew arrived within eight minutes and discovered a blaze on both floors of the building.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus used jets and hose reels to tackle the blaze.

They also used cold cut firefighting equipment which projects a fine mist into burning buildings.

The Aylesham retained crew was among those called to the scene.

The incident was reduced to three fire engines just after 5am and crews continued with cutting away the roof to expose and extinguish any remaining hot spots.

Ackholt Road was closed during the fire. The stop time was given as 8.11am.