A watch manager at Dover Fire Station has criticised the occupiers of a flat for burning their rubbish on their balcony.

Neighbours opposite Craighton House, Castle Street, Dover, raised the alarm on Saturday night after seeing papers smouldering on the top of a shop canopy.

Tony Northcott from the fire station said it had been foolhardy to set fire to the contents of the waste bin.

He added: "This was a very small balcony, about six foot by two foot, and the burning rubbish was falling on the canopy below.

"Sparks could even have gone into open windows in the block of flats. People should take their waste to an amenity tip."

The firefighters visited the occupants of the third-floor property who started the fire to point out the dangers.