A elderly man has been rescued from his Woodchurch home by his neighbour following a fire that gutted the front room of his house on Friday night.

According to Kent Fire and Rescue Service, crews from Tenterden, Ashford and Aldington were called to the home in Susans Hill at about 7pm.

The 87-year-old occupant was taken to the William Harvey Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but was not thought to be seriously injured.

The blaze happened after a coal fire got out of control and set a nearby chair alight.

The crews came away at about 8.15pm.