A derelict cobblers shop was almost destroyed after arsonists targeted it twice in one day.

Firefighters tackled the first blaze at the former shop in Hilda Road, Chatham in the early hours of Monday.

Crews spent about 45 minutes at the scene at 1am, and believe the fire was started deliberately. They removed gas cylinders that were in the area.

The same day, at about 8pm, two pumps were sent to the shop and found the gas cyclinders had been put back on a fire started at the neighbouring garage.

They spent about an hour at the scene.

The disused shop was targeted by arsonists in September and was left in a state of disrepair.

It was boarded up and firefighters say whoever started the fire had forced the boards off to get in.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire has virtually destroyed the building, which was in a bit of a bad state anyway."