A 42-year-old woman has died following a house fire in Sittingbourne this morning.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to the property in Park Drive at 10.51am after smoke and soot were seen pouring from windows.

Two pumps from Sittingbourne and Faversham were sent and crews in breathing apparatus entered the property to tackle the fire and search for casualties.

The woman has been identified locally as mother-of-two Helen Bishop.

Fire investigation officers and crime scene investigators are at the scene and will work together to determine the cause of the fire.