Quick-thinking hospice staff stopped a fire from spreading during a morning scare.

A small fire started at the chapel at the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford at around 9.30am.

Nobody was hurt but the wall and ceiling behind the lectern were damaged during the incident at Preston Hall.

A spokesman for the hospice said: “On Monday Maidstone Fire and Rescue Service were called to extinguish a small fire at St Luke’s Chapel, Preston Hall, Aylesford in the Roman Catholic Parish of St Francis.

“The Chapel is attached to Heart of Kent Hospice. Due to the prompt response of the Hospice team and Maidstone Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was extinguished promptly.

“The full extent of the damage to St Luke’s Chapel will now be assessed. No damage has occurred to the Heart of Kent Hospice main building and no people have been hurt.”

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said two fire engines arrived at the scene on Monday morning.

They said: “There was a fire in the Chapel at the Heart of Kent Hospice.

“The call came in at 9.32am and the incident was shut by 10.06am.

“Heart of Kent Hospice staff used fire extinguishers and the fire was already out when crews arrives.

“Breathing apparatus and a ventilation fan was used to help clear the smoke.”