Firefighters have been called to a town centre after a blaze broke out in a four storey building.

Six crews and a height vehicle were sent to the scene in Dartford High Street, which was cordoned off by police.

They spent the night fighting the blaze, having been called at around 8.30pm.

A height vehicle was also used in the efforts to douse the flames.

The exact location has not been confirmed but it is understood smoke was coming from an office above NatWest bank.

Solicitors Cook, Taylor and Woodhouse also have premises at the building.

There are no reported casualties and the cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Firefighters said good progress has been made and the operation has been scaled back to three fire engines, with crews checking hotspots.

The road remains closed and members of the public were advised to avoid the area.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "We were made aware of a fire at a premise on the High Street, Dartford at approximately 8.25pm.

"Officers are currently at the scene with crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service."

Labour leader on Dartford council put out a message saying: "Hoping everyone is safe and thank you to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for everything they are doing this evening."

Phillip Marvell, who lives in Dartford, was returning from a Christmas party when he came across the blaze.

The 33-year-old, who works in retail, told Kent Online: "I was walking along Hythe Street with a friend of mine towards the Vic and Bull Hotel and there was a fire engine parked across end of the High Street where Lloyds Bank is.

"There were plenty of police and firemen on the scene - if there was an ambulance I didn’t see one - and when I looked down towards where the incident was taking place, smoke was coming out of the windows of the top floor of the building but I didn't see any flames.

"There was a hint of smoke in the air but to be honest I probably wouldn't have noticed if it wasn't for the fire engine."