A car fire outside a pub, which was targeted by arsonists three months ago, is thought to have been started deliberately.

The vehicle was destroyed by the fire in the car park of the Tiger Moth pub in Highview Drive, Chatham.

The blaze broke out in the early hours of Saturday and is being treated as "suspicious".

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "Firefighters were called at 4am to reports of a car alight in a pub car park off Highview Drive, Chatham.

"One fire engine attended and crews used compressed air foam to extinguish the flames. No casualties were reported and the cause of the fire is believed to be suspicious."

Crews were at the scene until 4.50am.

In May, the pub, which is opposite Horsted Retail Park, was forced to shut after the entrance and interior was set alight while customers were inside.

Police said two glass bottles containing fuel were thrown at the doorway of the hostelry.

Everyone got out safely and nobody was hurt in the incident at closing time on the night of Thursday, May 5.

It led to a fire which blocked the doorway causing damage to the entrance and interior of the pub.

The landlords closed the next day to carry out repairs.

A police investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year-old man at an address in Chatham on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life the following evening. He remains under investigation.

A second man, aged 21 and from Chatham, was arrested on suspicion of arson on June 12 and also remains under investigation.

A woman, who described herself as a manager said after this latest incident: "No comment. We will not be discussing this further.’