FIREFIGHTERS were called to the Ramada Hotel and Resort at Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, after smoke was spotted billowing from the sauna.

Crews from Maidstone fire station, who were alerted at about 8pm on Sunday, spent more than an hour bringing the blaze under control. The fire is believed to have been caused by a faulty thermostat.

The alarm was raised by two of the guests who noticed smoke coming from the sauna.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman praised them to for alerting staff so quickly. He said: "The sauna was gutted by the fire but it could have been a lot worse. We got there before it had a chance to develop."