Five fire crews were battling a large blaze at a derelict water tower in Sheerness last night.

The top floors at the prominent Victorian structure in Trinity Road were fully alight, with flames and smoke billowing out of its windows into the night sky.

The Victorian water tower has been derelict and boarded up for many years despite Islanders campaigning to have it renovated.

Phil Crowder, who chairs the the Sheerness Town Team, said: "This is so very sad for the town. We have been warning for years that something like this was going to happen. It's absolutely gutted."

Kent Fire and Rescue Services initially warned residents nearby to keep their doors and windows closed.

A spokesman said: "People living near Trinity Road in Sheerness are asked to close windows and doors due to smoke while crews tackle a derelict building fire.

"Please pass this onto loved ones in the affected area who may not have have access to the internet."

A height vehicle with a crane was also at the scene tackling the blaze.

Dawn Turnball, whose flat overlooks the water tower, said the smell was overwhelming.

"I thought my flat was on fire to begin with, it was that strong.

"I believe it was started by people messing about but it had been boarded up since I moved here and then the whole place got cordoned off in the last year due to urban explorers and the fact it wasn't safe inside.

"Was definitely a shock seeing such a blaze outside my window."

'This is so very sad. I am really upset about this...'

Cllr Cameron Beart tweeted yesterday: "Saddened to see Sheerness water tower has gone up in flames this evening. Not the first time it has been the target or arsonists but this looks the worst I've seen."

At 6.50am today fire and rescue issued an update saying: "Residents near Trinity Road in Sheerness are no longer advised to keep windows and doors closed, following good progress by crews overnight.

"One fire engine remains at the scene of the derelict building fire this morning, and firefighters are working to damp down hot spots.

"There are no reported injuries and the cause is not yet confirmed."

The water tower is next to Swale council's former offices which are being renovated as part of a major revamp to turn them into offices for start-up companies. There are also many families living in terraced houses opposite the fire.

A campaign to save the water tower was launched by Betty Oldmeadow in 2017 with a bid to get the Victorian Society to back plans to come to its rescue.

She said at the time: “The Sheerness Water Tower is sadly in need of renovation. It has become an eyesore and is upsetting the local community as well as spoiling what was once a pleasant area of the town. The building has an incredible history and a number of people fought hard to save it.

“But so far, all attempts have failed. If the front, at least, could be incorporated into any new development it may please both those for and against its survival. It would also be a valuable reminder of our local heritage for future generations."

Last night she said: "This is so very sad. I am really upset about this."

Swale council employed consultants to come up with ideas of regenerating the Island but the former water tower was never part of their plans in later years.

Time has taken its toll. The inside was falling to pieces, the wooden floors had rotted away and pigeons were roosting in the rafters covering the inside with droppings.

Youngsters regularly broke in, despite the building being boarded up, and in July 2016 two were questioned by police after another blaze.