Firefighters spent four hours tackling a blaze at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve.

Crews were called to Kent's biggest animal park, off Aldington Road in Lympne, near Hythe, at 6.22pm yesterday following reports a muck heap was alight.

Three fire engines, a bulk water carrier and a four-wheel drive vehicle attended and crews used a hose reel jet, a fog spike and water from a hydrant to extinguish the flames.

Drag rakes were also used to ensure the fire had not spread.

No casualties were reported and crews left at 10.18pm.

It is not known how close the fire was to the animal enclosures.

A spokesman for Port Lympne said: "The fire was under control very quickly but the fire brigade stayed to monitor it to ensure there was no further risk."

Port Lympne is run by animal conservation charity The Aspinall Foundation, which also runs sister park Howletts, near Canterbury.

It is home to more than 700 animals, including giraffes, big cats, small cats, primates, gorillas and rhinos, and also has a safari, Dinosaur Forest and overnight accommodation.

It recently reopened, along with Howletts, following temporary closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: All the latest news from Hythe

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.