A derelict school building has been destroyed in a raging inferno which may have been the work of arsonists.

Flames 20 ft high ripped through the former St Gregory's School on Friday evening.

More than 20 firefighters from Thames-side, Medway, Strood and Swanscombe were drafted in to tackle the blaze in Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend, just after 7pm.

The fire is thought to have been started deliberately and is now under investigation.

Lawrence Pater, watch manager, said it took half and hour to put the fire out and a further hour to make the scene safe.

No one was injured in the blaze and families living nearby did not have to be evacuated.