A derelict cobbler's shop was virtually destroyed after arsonists targeted it twice in one day.

Medway firefighters tackled the first blaze at the former shop in Hilda Road, Chatham in the early hours of Monday.

Crews spent about 45 minutes at the scene at 1am, and believe the fire was started deliberately.

They removed gas cylinders that were in the area.

The same day, at about 8pm, two pumps were sent to the shop and found the gas cyclinders had been put back on a fire started at the neighbouring garage.

They spent about an hour at the scene.

The disused shop was targeted by arsonists in September and was left in a state of disrepair.

It was boarded up and firefighters say whoever started the fire had forced the boards off to get in.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, speaking on Monday morning, said: "We got called out at about 1am and the fire was on the first floor of the building.

"We think it was started deliberatively as it looked like the boards had been kicked in.

"The fire has virtually destroyed the building, which was in a bit of a bad state anyway."