Kent firefighters are on their way to help with the Haiti earthquake rescue operation.

A spokesman confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Kent Fire and Rescue Service's specialist Urban Search and Rescue team had left Gatwick Airport to assist with the rescue response in Haiti following an earthquake on Tuesday.

Specialist firefighters popped into Medway fire station to collect extra equipment to help them with any rescues.

They are expected to arrive sometime after 5am on Thursday morning and will be on duty straight away.

Audio: KFRS assistant director of operations Sean Bone-Knell

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's assistant director of operations Sean Bone-Knell said the rescue team have been trained for operations just like this.

He said: "They are trained to work in collapsed buildings and serious structural collapses for special search and rescue purposes."