A barn has been destroyed after being engulfed by a huge fire in the early hours which could be seen from miles away.

Firefighters worked through the night to put out the blaze at a farm in Malmaynes Hall Road, St Mary Hoo.

The alarm was raised at 1.19am and six fire engines and a bulk water carrier were sent to the farm on the Hoo Peninsula.

They found a large barn measuring 80 metres by 80 metres to be well alight.

A fire service spokesman said: "The barn was used to store around 400 tonnes of baled hay.

"A small building and a number of skips were also alight due to heat and fire spread.

"Crews tackled the fire through the night using hose reel jets and main jets.

"Kent Police were at the scene to manage traffic around the incident."

People living in Gillingham reported being able to see the fire and numerous calls were made to report it.

This morning, one engine remained at the farm as firefighters monitored the aftermath to make sure it did not reignite.

It is not known what caused the blaze. There were no reported injuries.