STAFF at a concrete mixing plant battled valiantly to put out a fire in their offices this morning before calling on the fire service for help.

The blaze broke out on the first floor at Hanson on Maidstone’s 20/20 industrial estate.

Firefighters were eventually called at around 6.40am, using two pumps and breathing apparatus to make sure the area, and all the staff, were safe.

Firefighter Alan Stark said: “They worked very hard to try and put out this fire but it was just too intense for them. They eventually retreated to safety, which was very sensible."

He added: "We were there for one hour as it was quite a big fire. It caused severe damage to the concrete mixer.”