A school has reopened after it shut to pupils when an electric cable caught fire.

The small fire was discovered at Valley Park School in Huntsman Lane at 11.27am yesterday (Monday).

The caretaker was able to put it out with a CO2 extinguisher, and two fire crews attended as a precaution. Pupils reported seeing smoke.

However, as the power had to be switched off, school managers decided to close and send pupils home.

Repairs were carried out through the day yesterday and the school was able to reopen today.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The school made the decision to send the pupils home because of the lack of power.

"In terms of working conditions for later in the day, it was better to let them go home in the day time."

Fire crews were on scene until 12.47pm when EDF staff arrived.