Firefighters were called to an address this morning after a passer-by reported hearing a fire alarm.

But when the crew got to Wiltie Gardens in Folkestone, they discovered the device was still bleeping loudly despite it being thrown away in an outdoor wheelie bin.

Firefighters were called at 7am and after five minutes of searching, they found that several smoke alarms had been discarded in what was thought to be flat renovations.

Folkestone watch manager Giles Parker said: "It was nice for someone walking past to hear it and call us.

"Although it would have been nice if someone had taken the batteries out of it.

"We had to turn the engine off, listen, but when we got up to the flat it was getting quieter.

"We looked through the bin there was half a dozen or so, and we took all the batteries out."

Mr Giles said if people are going to throw out old alarms they should make sure the batteries are out - but said he was thankful for the call just in case it was a job they needed to attend.