The Archbishop of Canterbury offered his prayers tonight as a fire brought down the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze in the medieval building, which has been raging for several hours - but the French Interior Ministry said it may not be possible to save anything of the building.

The cathedral is one of the most popular attractions in Paris, but the area has been cleared of tourists while emergency services deal with the incident.

Archbishop Justin Welby tweeted tonight: "Tonight we pray for the firefighters tackling the tragic Notre Dame fire - and for everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps for this beautiful, sacred place where millions have met with Jesus Christ. Nous sommes avec vous."

Earlier Folkestone and Hythe MP Damian Collins tweeted: "This fire is a tragedy for the world.

"When we think of the religious and cultural significance of Notre Dame of Paris and of all that it has seen and endured over the last 850 years of European history.

"It makes our day to day quarrels seem small."

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield also tweeted: "Unbearable to see the footage of that beautiful building, over 850 years of history..."

Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom Tugendhat said: "Watching Notre Dame is heartbreaking. Over centuries, millions have prayed and kept silence to mourn and celebrate defeats and victories, personal and national. It’s a place of faith and hope, and tonight of sorrow."

French President Emmanuel Macron has cancelled an address to the nation as a result of the fire and is planning to visit the scene.

It is understood no one has been injured and there is speculation the blaze could be related to multi-million renovation works going on at the buillding.