An increase in chimney related fires has prompted a safety reminder for residents to make sure they are swept.

Kent Fire and Rescue released the reminder today after crews attended a ground floor chimney blaze in Manor Road, Dover, last night.

One crew using chimney equipment managed to tackle the blaze, remaining at the scene for more than an hour.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is not known.

KFRS head of community safety, Lee Rose said: "As the cold weather continues and residents use open fires and wood burning stoves to keep warm, we are being called out to more of these types of incidents.

"Even if you had your chimneys swept at the start of the winter, it may be that it has now become clogged with soot and debris which could easily start a fire, so we would advise you to have it checked and swept again.”