POLICE are today investigating an incident in which a car parked on a drive caught fire and caused damage to houses either side of it.

The incident happened last night in Ash Close, Hawkenbury, near Tunbridge Wells. Fire crews raced to the scene shortly after 10pm. Despite their efforts the car, a Ford Sierra Sapphire, was almost totally burned out.

Flames were seen licking the walls of the adjacent homes and heat caused double-glazed windows to crack. Arson has not been ruled out, and police inquiries are continuing.

• In a separate incident just before 4am today, firefighters were called to the in action following a call to the town's historic Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells.

A bundle of newspapers left in the doorway of The Pantiles News newsagents caught alight and caused heat damage to the shop frontage. The cause is not known.