A man has suffered serious burns after attempting to start a bonfire using flammable liquids.

Firefighters were sent to Gore Lane in Eastry, near Sandwich, and discovered the victim with 25% burns to his arms and legs.

He was given oxygen at the scene and his burns were cooled before he was flown to hospital by air ambulance.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said the man had attempted to light the bonfire wiht a flammable liquid.

He added: "We encourage anyone thinking of having a bonfire to consider a safer, more environmentally friendly way to dispose of waste through the green waste collection or take it to your local recycling centre.

"However, if you do light a bonfire the advice is to take extra care and never use petrol, barbecue lighting fluids or other accelerants on them.

"Also, never leave any fire unattended and if the bonfire gets out of control, never try to tackle it yourself, always call the fire service."