A chef at a newly refurbished Yalding pub suffered burns after a fire yesterday.

Fire crews were called out to The Boathouse in Hampstead Lane at 4.30pm, where the pub and restaurant's kitchen was on fire.

The blaze has closed the Shepherd Neame pub, which had only recently reopened after a £1.3million refurb.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service had the fire out by 5.30pm and confirmed it was investigating the cause of the blaze.

A spokesperson from Shepherd Neame said: "Following a kitchen fire at the Boathouse, Yalding on Monday afternoon one of our chefs was taken to hospital where he is being treated for burns.

"The pub is closed while investigations are being conducted. We hope you will join us in wishing our colleague a swift recovery."

Kent's air ambulance was called to the scene, but the chef was instead taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital by road.

Formerly known as The Anchor, refurbishment started in January, reopening in May with two managers and 20 full and part time staff.

A custom-built kayak store and boat moorings were also installed so punters could visit the pub via the River Medway.

Shepherd Neame has not given a timescale for when the pub could reopen.

Kent Police confirmed the blaze was not being treated as suspicious.