A man has died in a car fire at a supermarket.

Kent Police joined Kent Fire and Rescue Service at Morrisons off Sutton Road in Maidstone earlier this morning.

Paramedics joined crews at the scene at around 4.20am.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "One man was declared deceased at the scene and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

"A report will be prepared for the coroner."

KentOnline now understand the deceased was a man in his 70s from Maidstone.

A spokeswoman for the fire service added: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to St Saviours Road in Maidstone at 4.13 am today to reports of a car alight, and it was discovered a man had sadly died at the scene.

"Two fire engines attended along with Kent Police.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire, which is not being treated as suspicious.”

This morning, three police cars and a fire vehicle are at the scene, with a section of the car park cordoned off while investigations continue.

A recovery vehicle was on scene just before 9.30am to take the burnt out Skoda away.

Neighbours in Queen Elizabeth Square say they were woken up by a loud bang at around 5am - around an hour before the adjacent petrol station was due to open.

The supermarket and the petrol station are both open as usual.

A Morrisons spokesman said: "This matter is currently being investigated by the police.

"Our thoughts are with this man's family and friends."

The man's next of kin have been informed.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone