Firefighters were called to a conservation area after woodland was spotted alight in the latest of a series of fires.

Crews were called to Ambley Woods in Darland Banks, Gillingham, last night after a section of bush fencing adjoining the woods was spotted alight at about 7.40pm.

It followed a fire at the same spot earlier on Friday, and several grass fires on Darland Banks in recent weeks.

Around 40 metres of fencing were destroyed in the first of yesterday's fires and 60 metres was lost in the fire later on.

Roger Vaughan of the Friends of Ambley Woods group said the woodland - a Conservation Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - could easily have been destroyed, and said it was important to preserve the woods for future generations.

"If the woods catch light it could be very dry in there," he said. "It could be serious.

"It backs on to residential properties so that could be difficult. Fortunately people spotted it and called the fire brigade."

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He said it was not known if the fire was started deliberately, but added: "We welcome everyone to use the area but we want them to respect and enjoy it, and leave it for the next generation."

Kent Fire and Rescue sent three fire engines and a special "fire-fogging" unit to the scene and said they received reports of a number of fires in the area, described as "a large area of woodland alight".

Fire crews spent around three and a half hours dealing with incident, finishing operations at 9.58pm, with a further hour spent damping down and turning over seats of fire to make sure they didn't reignite.

There are no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fires has not yet been determined.

For more news on fires in the county, click here.

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