Police are investigating an alleged arson attack at a GP surgery in Northfleet.

Fire crews were called to The Shrubbery surgery, in Perry Street, at just after 10.45pm yesterday.

The fire caused minor damage to a carpet - but crews immediately thought it might have been started on purpose.

Police today confirmed they were looking into the possibility the fire was started deliberately.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were called at 10.51pm to a fire in Perry Street, Northfleet, in a non-residential property.

"The fire crews had to gain entrance to the building by forcing open the door. There was was a small amount of the carpet alight in the property.

"There was no plausible cause so the police were called."

Two crews both from Thames-side attended and left the scene at 11.19pm.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating an alleged arson in Northfleet.

"It is reported that a property in Perry Street was alight just after 10.45pm on Wednesday April 9."

The surgery is open as normal, but the main entrance is closed. Patients are instead being asked to use the back entrance in Coopers Road.