Residents have been told it is safe to open their windows again following a huge fire which broke out at a farm after tyres caught alight.

Kent firefighters have now extinguished the flames at Arnold Farm in Back Street, Leeds, near Maidstone.

Earlier, residents had been advised to shut all doors and windows after a plume of thick black smoke spread across the area.

One woman, who lives next to the farm, explained how she woke up this morning and could feel the heat.

She said: "I woke up at about 8.45am and thought someone had started a morning bonfire.

"I looked up in the sky and saw it was dark and thought it was going to rain, but then it turned black and it was clear it was smoke.

"I was looking across the fields and could see the powerful smoke rising and going backwards, but just thought someone was burning something."

'The cause is not yet known'

Another witness described a lot of "toxic smoke."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent five fire engines and a bulk water carrier to tackle the blaze using main jets.

The Technical Rescue Unit also attended, as well as members of KFRS' Volunteer Response Team who were there to offer welfare and support.

A spokesman said: "No fire-related injuries were reported and the cause is not yet known."