A rival firm has been accused of trying to steal a laundry's customers in the wake of a huge blaze that gutted its factory.

Around 60 firefighters tackled the large fire at Faversham Linen Services' Victorian premises in Ashford Road in the early hours.

The laundry has since relocated to the Joseph Wilson Industrial Estate in Whitstable.

They have replenished stock and continue to supply customers with clean linen.

But in the wake of the disaster, a competitor has approached their customers claiming the family-run company has gone out of business.

Just as the laundry - which has been in Faversham more than 100 years - was coming to terms with the fallout from the huge fire, some customers were already being approached by the rival firm.

They claim Faversham Linen Services has ceased trading because of the fire and have suggested concerned business owners should sign a new contract with them.

Financial director Nigel Turner said: "We know of some customers who have been targeted by this unscrupulous and underhand business practice.

"Contrary to rumours, we have not gone out of business and we are servicing our customers as usual from our new site.

"We have not sold our business and not agreed to sell any of our customers or linen to any other organisation."

Firefighters only left the scene of the fire shortly before 9am last Thursday after dealing with the blaze for almost 30 hours.

At its height, around 60 firefighters fought the flames using hosereels and jets to bring the fire at the commerical laundry under control last Wednesday.

Crews remained at the scene more than 24 hours later with the remaining hotspots and debris from the fire.

Immediately after the fire, office workers were temporarily relocated to Old Grain Store, in Brenley, as the linen company, which employs more than 100 people, began to come to terms with the blaze.

Scorched computer servers were relocated and desks and PCs were made available for the laundry office staff.

Engineers from the laundry's technical partners, Access IT, were also able to reinstate their computer system.

For the devastated staff, recovering the system meant the payroll run continued and their salary was paid on time.

The family owned company was established in 1898. It has had large deliveries of replacement linen in the wake of the blaze and continues to provides commercial cleaning for firms including hotels, restaurants, shops and care homes across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and south London.

A 29-year-old, from Ramsgate, arrested on suspicion of arson has been released on bail pending further inquiries as police and fire investigators continue to work to establish how the fire started.