Firefighters have been battling a blaze in a church hall.

At its height, around 20 firefighters were tackling the flames at St Andrew's church hall, Watling Street, Dartford.

Crews were called just before midnight to the small single storey building at the back of the church, which is used by a playgroup and other community groups.

It is thought that someone may have broken into the hall through a window. Police are investigating.

Church secretary Hilary Cumming said it is not yet known how badly the building has been damaged.

She said: “We are able to look in through the main church hall and could see the blackened rafters but it was difficult to tell how bad the damage is.

“The forensics are there this morning and we will be able to get in after that.”

The building was well alight when the four crews arrived. They used two main jets, a hose reel jet and breathing apparatus to tackle the fire. They also used a height vehicle to remove tiles from the roof to check and prevent further fire spread.

Crews were later reduced to two and the firefighters remained to make the scene safe and used a fan to clear the building of smoke. The crews left the scene at 3.30am.

The church itself has not been damaged.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 12.08am to a report of a fire at a church hall on Watling Street, Dartford.

"The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be investigated by Kent Fire and Rescue Service today."