Firefighters rescued five people who became trapped in a lift in a Tunbridge Wells shopping centre today.

Two adults and three "very young" children became stuck in the lift of a Boots store in Royal Victoria Place after a technical fault occurred.

Members of staff were unable to release the doors, so called fire crews to help.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "We were called to Royal Victoria Place at 12.08pm to reports of two adults and three very young children being stuck in the lift.

"We released the doors and managed to get everyone out. Crews left the centre at 1.09pm."

A spokesperson for Royal Victoria Place said it was standard procedure to call firefighters when a lift broke down and doors could not be opened.

He added: "Lifts can break down at any time and when they stop we have a procedure we have to implement.

"If staff cannot open the doors, we have to call the fire service as we want to get customers who may be trapped out as soon as possible.

"The safety of our customers is paramount and we ensure our procedures enable us to carry out the release of the doors quickly and efficiently.

"In this instance we couldn't open the doors, and called firefighters as there was young children inside."