Dartford council has reassured people in its communal properties that none of the buildings feature the same materials used in Grenfell Tower.

Up to 79 people are thought to have died when fire ripped through the 24-storey tower block in North Kensington last week.

The building is owned by Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council and the devastating blaze has prompted councils across the country to review their own accommodation and make sure their tenants are as safe as possible.

Although Dartford council does not own or manage any high-rise blocks, staff are reassuring residents anyway.

A spokesman said: “The terrible consequences of the fire at Grenfell Tower have shocked us all and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and those who have had their lives devastated. Our thoughts are also with the emergency services as they fulfil their difficult, and distressing, task in the coming days and weeks.

“Based on the current information from the scene all cladding/insulation work we have directly delivered, or overseen, to housing stock in the borough does not involve systems of the same design, manufacture or materials as fitted at Grenfell Tower.

“We can also confirm that all materials we have used in such projects have met the relevant fire safety standards in relation to the circumstances in which they have been used.”

The spokesman said fire precautions and means of escape were “kept constantly under review” and regular inspections of communal blocks were carried out, all in accordance with statutory health and safety legislation and council policies.

Guidance will be reissued to tenants and leaseholders despite being “always available”, the spokesman added.

He continued: “At the moment the emergency services are continuing with the recovery at the site and will in time determine the cause of the horrific fire but looking ahead you can be assured that any recommendations that come out of the investigation, that further help to make sure our properties are as safe as possible, will of course be carefully considered.”

Find out about volunteering to help those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire by emailing Grenfellvolunteers@rbkc.gov.uk or donate at https://thekandcfoundation.com

Kent County Council is to carry out precautionary checks on more than 400 buildings it has responsibility for in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, it announced on Tuesday. Although the council has no housing it has a large number of other buildings, such as offices, schools, libraries, care centres and other community centres.