A NEWLY-RENOVATED bungalow in a Kent village has been virtually destroyed by fire.

The former stable building at Little Trench Farm at Shipbourne, near Tonbridge, went up in flames in the early hours of Wednesday.

The alarm was raised by a homeowner on a nearby estate who saw the flames at about 12.45am. Three fire engines and a water unit were needed to tackle the blaze and prevent flames spreading to the main house on the farm.

Owner Tony Wilson, a building contractor, and his wife, Pauline, were in the main house a safe distance from the burning bungalow.

Mr Wilson had only recently completed a major refurbishment of the building, ready for sale. He said: “It is a blessing there was nobody in it."

Firefighters think the fire might have been caused by an electrical problem.