A MISPLACED paper weight caused a fire in an antique shop’s window display.

Firefighters had to force entry to Greta May Antiques on Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, after a passer-by noticed that a chair in the shop window had caught fire.

The shop owner was not in at the time but returned to the shop as firefighters attended the scene at around 5.15pm on Monday.

A crystal paper weight placed on the upholstered chair had magnified the sun’s rays and set light to the upholstery fabric.

One firefighter said: "I’ve never come across anything like that in my time in the fire service. It’s worth warning people to watch out where they place glass objects, especially during the summer months."

No one was hurt in the fire and damage was restricted to the chair in the shop’s window display.