A vicar wants to improve security after rubbish was set on fire next to a church.

Firefighters were called to the blaze, right next to a gas main, at St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne at 3.26am yesterday.

It is thought the trash was set on fire deliberately.

The vestry, a room attached to the church, was full of smoke by the time a key holder arrived to let them in.

Apart from the gas having to be cut off, there was not much damage to the flint church.

Vicar Lesley Jones said she did not think it was an isolated case after a spate of vandalism and littering.

"I'm really saddened this has happened. I've been ringing the police all summer for different incidents," she said.

"We really need people who see anything suspicious to be vigilant and report it to the police.

"We care for lots of people in the town and we do a lot of one-to-one pastoral work and in turn people are usually keen to help us keep the grounds clean.

"There is a minority though that don't respect what we're doing.

"I want to focus on friendship and the goodwill people have for this church and that far outweighs the minority that doesn't care about the churchyard.

"It could've been much worse."

"There is a minority though that don't respect what we're doing" - Rev Lesley Jones

Rev Jones added her thanks to the firefighters who were called for their quick arrival.

She is now in talks with councillors and council officers to get CCTV cameras installed in the churchyard to try to deter attacks.

A police spokesman confirmed officers were sent to help firefighters.

The High Street was closed off until 6.15am.

Police are investigating.

Anyone with information can call police on 01795 419119, quoting crime reference number 46/182240/19, or anonymously through Crimestoppers by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org or calling 0800 555111.

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