A man has been charged with arson after a fire in the bins at Medway hospital.

Luke French, 28, of Peregrine Drive, in Sittingbourne, was arrested at around 11pm on Wednesday, September 5 after industrial bins which were close to medical equipment had been found on fire.

He has since been charged with arson with intent to endanger life or arson that was reckless as to whether life was endangered.

French has also been charged with arson after a bin was set alight in Rope Walk, Chatham on the same evening.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 7 .

At this hearing he was also remanded and is due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on October 5.

Deputy chief executive at Medway NHS Foundation Trust James Devine said: "Arson is a very serious crime and when it takes place at a hospital it can be extremely dangerous.

"I am pleased that our fire safety team reacted quickly and our procedures for dealing with rare issues such as this worked effectively."