Scaffolding is now fully up around the worst affected shops in Maidstone's Week Street and the cordon has been moved back, just over a week on a from a devastating fire.

Today, pedestrians were finally able to walk all the way along the street, after the cordon was moved back to just infront of the fire-damaged shops.

The Works bookshop, which was destroyed in the blaze that started in the early hours of last Monday, now has scaffolding holding it up.

Thomson travel agents and Hotter shoe shop also have scaffolding, while the Cornish Kitchen and Boots opticians are behind hoardings. The opticians also had scaffolding for unrelated reasons up before the blaze.

The scene is still attracting plenty of interest as shoppers stop to take it in as they pass.

Police have not formally handed over the scene to the shop owners yet, and one representative remains infront of the hoardings.

Maidstone council secured the scene by this morning, and Maidstone Town Centre Management is due to hold a de-brief with retailers soon.

A spokesman said: "We appreciate that it has caused a huge amount of chaos and disruption, but it was a very unusual and serious incident."

A Slovakian man charged with arson appeared in court on Saturday.

Adam Stajer, of Lower Stone Street in Maidstone, appeared before Maidstone Magistrates Court after being charged with arson on Friday.

The 21-year-old, who has lived in Britain for two years, did not enter a plea and will remain in custody until a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, July 3.