FIREFIGHTERS were still keeping a close eye on 200 tonnes of smouldering straw nearly 24 hours after the bales went up in flames.

A water unit from Cranbrook was still at the scene of the blaze on farmland in Couchman Green Lane, Staplehurst, on Saturday after it went up in flames the previous evening.

The fire broke out at around 6.30pm on Friday and two pumps - from Cranbrook and Marden - were called out.

Firefighters stayed at the scene until just before 2pm on Saturday to ensure the straw did not reignite, and to be certain the site was completely safe.

It is not yet known how the fire started. Nobody was hurt in the blaze.