Vandals tried to set off a mini-explosive in a telephone box.

The yobs had left an upturned bottle of fuel with a rag next to an aerosol can but the home-made explosive turned out to be a dud and was snuffed out in time.

Firefighters had been called to St John’s Street, Folkestone, at 12.30am today by neighbours who saw youths trying to start the fire.

Folkestone Fire Station watch manager Harvey Dorling said:”The can and the bottle were between the shelf and the telephone handset.

"They were trying to set off a mini-explosion but it didn’t happen. There was only a small flame.

“ First of all there was only a small amount of fuel and we were able to get there in time.”

Police were also called to the scene, which was near Phoenix Court.