Firefighters were called to a pub in the early hours of this morning after its wooden smoking shelter, planter and garden furniture went up in flames.

Crews in two fire engines arrived at the Fox and Goose in Weavering Street, Maidstone, just after 4am and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze, which is believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette.

Landlady Jan Williams said some of the outdoor seating has been ruined and glass has been shattered but no casualties were reported as a result.

Mrs Williams wasn't staying nearby at the time and was only alerted to the fire by a friend who was driving past the pub en route to work.

The Fox and Goose will still be open as usual this afternoon.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "If you do choose to smoke, use a heavy ashtray that won’t tip over easily and ensure it is fully out before safely disposing of the cigarette."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone