An American wild western town burnt down after a blaze "ripped through" its buildings.

Laredo Western Town in Fawkham near Longfield was hit by a fire last Thursday.

There were no injuries and the cause of the blaze is unknown.

Laredo Western Town said: "Our little community has had a devastating blow. Thursday night a fire ripped through our town, we lost many buildings and our members lost a great deal of their personal items.

"The town was started by my dad, a vision he had. I spent my childhood there and my children have spent their childhood there. My children were devastated as they watched their childhood burn to the ground in front of them.

"Kent Fire and Rescue Service were amazing and managed to control the fire and save some of the town.

"We have been overwhelmed by local support and love and have never asked for help in the last, but right now we are in a desperate situation."

Seven fire engines attended the scene last week just before 10pm.

Laredo was founded in 1971 by western enthusiast John Truder and a group of like-minded history enthusiasts.

The town represents the American Wild West in 1865 to 1889 and has been used as a film set, featuring in Blood Moon, Finding Neverland and Red Dwarf, Gunmen of the Apocalypse.

It has 24 buildings including a two-storey hotel, saloon, working blacksmiths and a bank among other sets, all lit by oil lamps and candles.

The town will be celebrating its 50th year in 2022 and nearby residents are trying to raise funds to help rebuild the town and look after the animals.

If you would like to donate you can do so via their GoFundMe page here.

At the time of writing, it had raised more than £12,250.