A man has appeared in court in connection with a blaze at a Sheppey farm.

David Staples is charged with arson after a fire at Tomolly Stables, in Plough Road, Eastchurch, that destroyed five stables, a toilet block and about 10 tonnes of hay on September 3.

The 44-year-old, of Kingsnorth Road, Gillingham, is also accused of five counts of possessing indecent images.

Staples appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on September 26.

A series of large-scale fires at barns across the Island have taken place over recent months, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

DCI Ian Humpheryes said: "The entire Sheppey community has been understandably concerned about recent farm fires.

"I would like to reassure the public that we are taking these incidents extremely seriously and have been working closely with Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

"We will be meeting with the victims to update them on the situation and I would urge residents to allow police to continue with their investigations into the other fires."

A 36-year-old man was arrested in Queens Road, Minster, on August 22 on suspicion of arson in connection with the earlier fires. He was released on bail until November 24 pending further investigations.