by Anna Roberts and Alan Smith

A man has been charged in connection with three fires started in Maidstone town centre toilets.

Luke Robert French, of Marigold Way, Maidstone, has been charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Firefighters were called to three fires in the town centre on Tuesday morning.

The first was at about 8.15am at the Mall Chequers loos, near the bus depot. Shoppers then had to be evauated from Sainsbury's, in Romney Place, after a fire was started in the supermarket's toilets at about 9.10am.

The third blaze was at McDonalds in Week Street at 10.15am.

In each case, the fires were put out quickly by fire crews and no one was hurt.

Each of the toilets are expected to be closed for a few days while damage is repaired.

Did you witness either blaze? Email your accounts to messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Maidstone on 01622 604213 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”