Fire crews will be practising their response to a blaze in a high rise building next week.

Arlington House in All Saints Avenue, Margate, will be the venue for the full-scale live emergency exercise on Tuesday (January 26).

Staff from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), Thanet District Council, Freshwater (the apartment block owners), the Highways Agency, Kent Police, the Red Cross and local residents will be taking part in the mock up of a major incident.

Fire crews, 10 appliances and specialist vehicles from across East Kent - including the high volume pump which is capable of delivering up to 8,000 litres of water per minute - will be taking part in the exercise, which will include a simulated fire on the top floor of the building. There will also be a simulated rescue of residents trapped inside.

Russ Jordan, KFRS exercise director, said: "Buildings such as Arlington House can throw up extra challenges for firefighters and this is a good opportunity to practise and further develop their skills in a controlled environment, so that they're ready when a real incident happens. It will also assist us in formulating future plans to protect our local communities."

Organisers say there will be minimum disruption to the surrounding area.