A hoaxer gave emergency services the run around this morning, falsely reporting two fires.

Thames-side fire crew, police and an ambulance team were called into action after a 999 call at 1.30am from someone claiming there was a fire at their home.

The caller claimed there was a fire in Palmer Avenue, Gravesend, but when fire crews arrived, there was nothing there.

After contacting the caller, they were told the fire was in York Road, Northfleet. When the arrived, they found no fire there either.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "It is frustrating because we were tied and diverted from somebody who could have needed us."