TWO teenagers have been charged with arson following a blaze which caused more than £50,000 damage to a bus.

The two 16-year-old boys, who were charged earlier today, are alleged to have started a fire on the top deck of a number 96 bus.

The bus' top deck was gutted after fire ripped through it in Dartford Road, Dartford, on July 31.

The driver had to evacuate passengers as the blaze took hold.

The Crown Prosecution Service could not find any evidence to charge four other 16-year-old boys who were also questioned in connection with the fire.

North Kent police spokesman Sergeant Rod Chapman said: "The two boys will be appearing at Dartford Magistrates' Court very soon."