A pub manager has told how punters carried on drinking completely unaware the building was burning after an arson attack.

Tom Boylan was inside The Railway Tavern in Longfield with customers enjoying a Christmas tipple when burning fuel-soaked rags were used to set fire to the pub.

Tom Boylan from The Railway Tavern

He said: "It was not nice to see the pub like that.

"It could have been a lot worse if it had gone into the cellar hatch below where the boiler is.

"While I am here I am just doing my job. It is a nice village and all people want to do is enjoy the pub."

The 57-year-old works at the tavern seven days a week and recalls asking a man who was "acting funny" to leave the premises.

He said the man returned later carrying a can of petrol but was seen leaving and walking down the road.

Later on in the evening a woman spotted flames and realised the outside of the pub in Station Road, Longfield was on fire at 7.15pm.

Luckily, a firefighter on his way to work was walking past and took charge of the incident, Tom said.

Officers and fire crews attended the scene next to a Shell petrol station and the blaze was extinguished.

No injuries were reported despite there being a number of people inside at the time and police are investigating the fire which is believed to have been started deliberately.

Tom added: "Some people are used to things happening around the pub, a lot of things have happened over the years. Some people expect things to happen.

"We did not shut, we just carried on. Some people did leave because of it."

The flames damaged the outside of the building following the attack which happened on Thursday, December 23 but the pub has remained open since.

Kent Police are treating the incident as arson and inquires are ongoing, including a review of all available CCTV and speaking to further witnesses.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious, was in the pub at the time, or has information which could help officers and has not been in touch yet, should call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting crime reference 46/264004/21 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete their online form.