Firefighters are battling a blaze at a 97-year-old country pub in Canterbury.

Fire and Emergency were called to the Brown Pub - also known as the Canterbury Hotel - on Methven's Main Street just after 9.

A spokesperson says local crews found the roof well involved in fire and called for backup from nearby towns.

They say the fire is currently contained and they have ten vehicles working at the scene to put it out.

The owner of sister location - the Blue Pub - says it looks like the fire is above the accommodation and kitchen area.

This isn't the first time there's been a fire at the historic hotel - its original building burnt down completely in 1922.