A village remains without its post office or grocery shop after a fire at the weekend.

An electrical short circuit sparked a blaze with nearby toilet paper in an outbuilding used as a storeroom for the Best One store in Bull Orchard, Barming, on Saturday night.

Fortunately, firefighters managed to stop the flames from spreading to the shop or the flat above, but the flames destroyed the electrics.

Shopkeeper Jitendra Patel said: “We can’t open without any power, so that is the first priority.

“An electrician is coming today to assess the damage and will return on Thursday to start the repairs.

“We don't yet know whether it will be a simple fix or whether the whole property will require re-wiring. If so it could take another week or 10 days.”

The stock in one half of the storeroom remained undamaged, but the building will need some serious reconstruction.

Mr Patel added: “We were insured and the loss assessor is coming later this week.”

He said he hoped to reopen by the end of the month.

In the meantime, he is continuing to pay his six staff members – three in the Post Office and three in the shop.

He said: “I have to – they are like family.”

Customers from The Bull pub almost opposite were the first to notice the flames on Saturday and rushed over to lend assistance.

Mr Patel thanked his customers for their sympathy, patience and understanding and said the business would be back as soon as possible to continue to serve Barming.

No-one was injured in the fire, which was reported just after 9pm. Firefighters were at the scene for three hours.