The fire service and police were called to heathland in Kent after a blaze was started "deliberately".

Eight fire engines were called to Dartford Heath, Dartford, at around 6pm last night.

Crews battle the fire for more than three hours with the assistance of two all-terrain vehicles.

They used hose reel jets, main jets and beaters, before checking for any remaining hot spots and leaving at 9.10pm.

The fire service also attended this morning to check for any hot spots again.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "No injuries were reported. Kent Police also attended as it’s believed the fire was started deliberately."

The heath has seen multiple blazes in the last couple of months during the hot weather.

Dog walker Gay Melrose's photo of the fire last night shows the shocking scenes it can produce.

She said: "This evening, I was up walking the dogs when this happened.

"A lovely little older lady with her dalmatian dog said she heard a crackling noise and a bush went into flames before her eyes.

"The other day I was walking my dogs up the heath when fire engines arrived again.

"While walking you could hear the burnt ashes land and make a crackling sound underground."

A police spokesman added: "Kent Police was called by the fire service at 7.12pm on Wednesday to be made aware of a fire on Dartford Heath, which was deemed suspicious.

"Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fire are being investigated."