An leisure centre was evacuated when the smell of smouldering went through the building via its air conditioning.

A total 20 to 30 staff and customers got out of Dover Leisure Centre in Townwall Street when the alarm was raised at 6.20am today.

The cause was thought to have been a spark that reached a rag and builders’ waste material on the rooftop plant room.

Dover Fire Station watch manager Paul Mellett said: “It had been smouldering for several hours and the smell had percolated through the air conditioning system.

"It was first noticed in the changing rooms.

“We were able to deal with this before it developed into a fire and the premises were evacuated promptly.”

It is not yet certain what had caused the spark.