Two men are due to be formally charged with arson after a blaze ripped through a leisure centre causing £1.4 million of damage.

The suspects, who are both aged 34 and from Bexleyheath, have been summonsed by post to appear in court where they will be charged with five counts of criminal damage and one of arson.

The fire took hold at Cygnet Leisure Centre, in Old Perry Street , Northfleet, at 12.30am on Friday, March 10.

The gym at the centre reopened in November.

The other offences relate to five incidents at the leisure centre between March 1 and July 28 where windows were reported to have been broken.

The men will appear appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Febraury 13.