Residents were disturbed late last night as two cars cars were set alight in suspected arson attacks.

Dramatic pictures show fire fighters tackling the flames of a car which had spread to a parked van in Cannon Street, Lydd, Romney Marsh at around 11pm.

Crews also attended Rype Close 10 minutes later where they put out another car fire.

Chris Maclean, who lives in the area, says he heard two loud bangs and barking dogs before going to investigate, finding a vehicle ablaze.

He said: “It was really burning and flames were about 20ft high. It was scorching the side of Lyons shop.

“The fire brigade arrived very promptly and soon had it under their control.”

The fire service believes both fires were started deliberately.

A spokesperson said: “Two fire engines attended reports of a car alight in Cannon Street and crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames, which had spread to a van parked nearby and caused heat damage to the windows of a commercial premises.”

“One fire engine attended reports of a car alight in Rype Close. Firefighters extinguished the flames using a hose reel jet.”

This is the fourth reported fire in the area in less than a year. In November, the derelict railway station in Lydd was destroyed in a blaze.

Residents were left heartbroken after a blaze tore through their historic station, destroying a piece of the town's heritage.

Kent Police has been approached for comment.