A 79-year-old woman has died in a fire at her home at Sellindge, near Folkestone, despite a brave bid by an ambulance crew to save her.

Paramedic Dave Bennett, 42, and technician Steve Tucker, 25, were the first on the scene after the emergency services were called to Greenfields, in Swan Lane.

The two men brought out Lily Moore, who lived alone in the terraced property, but Mr Bennett certified that she was dead at the scene.

Kent Fire Brigade spokesman Lee Rose said a neighbour saw the shortly before 9am yesterday and told a relative, who dialled 999. The small fire in the living room was quickly put out.

The room was damaged by fire and smoke and the rest of the property by smoke. The cause is being investigated. Police Insp Morag Ayres said that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mrs Moore's brother, Charlie, who lives nearby in Greenfields, said she had been housebound for several years. Her husband, Horace, died four years ago.