Images have captured the full force of a blaze as it rapidly spread across a corn field.

Firefighters were called to the incident off Lower Rochester Road, Higham at around 6pm this evening.

Pictures show the scale of the fire which ripped through 10 hectares of farmer's fields and saw thick black smoke billowing out into the air.

Neighbours in a nearby properties described hearing a "roaring crackling noise" and said they had been evacuated while fire crews attempted to bring the blaze under control.

At the height of the blaze, six fire engines, a bulk water carrier, a technical rescue unit, and two all-terrain vehicles were sent to scene.

Photographer Paul Aspinall, who captured the incident, said: "I believe there were four units possibly five with a water bowser and an off road buggy and little trailer.

"The view was restricted at the other end of the lane."

Crews were spotted using jets to extinguish the flames and could also be seen fanning away smoke.

Higham resident Mukhtiar Singh, who lives on land opposite Lower Rochester Road, described the blaze as "apocalyptic".

He said: "We don't know quite where it started or how. I noticed a roaring crackling noise and saw huge flames spreading across the fields.

"There's still around five engines here and the investigation team.

"The police vacated us as at one point it was likely to enter out fields so we are thankful to our fire heroes for somehow containing it. The climate emergency is becoming undeniable."

Crews continue to bring the fire under control, and the incident has now been scaled down to three fire engines and an all-terrain vehicle.

Firefighters are damping down remaining hotspots.

There are no reported casualties and the cause of the fire is not yet known.