by Jamie Bullen

Health bosses have launched an investigation after revelations five babies in one street were diagnosed with the same rare birth defect.

The youngsters, including two unborn children, have all been diagnosed with gastroschisis - a condition where the bowels stick out through the abdomen wall.

According to NHS websites, the condition affects just one in 7,000, but five cases have been discovered in Waterdales, Northfleet, in the past 12 years - two in the past few weeks.

A sixth case was also found in neighbouring Dover Road and three more women have come forward since our story last week.

Kent's director of public health, Meradin Peachey, has now stepped in to investigate the strange pattern.

She has met the women at the Northfleet Rectory Centre, when each case was discussed.

NHS bosses were meeting this week to discuss how to progress their investigation.

The women all lived in Waterdales, Northfleet, when they fell pregnant

An exact cause for the condition has yet to be established. However, one link has already been ruled out - it isn't something in the water.

A Southern Water spokesman said: "We have spoken to the local Health Protection Unit, which has met with the Primary Care Trust dealing with these cases, and currently they have no concerns regarding water quality or potential link with the water supply."

The women already had the backing of Gravesham MP Adam Holloway (Con) for an investigation.

Mr Holloway said: "I am pleased that this difficult situation is now being looked at on behalf of the families and I am following up a number of suggestions as to the cause."

On the women's Facebook group, Gastroschisis babies, it is claimed more women have come forward to say their babies were diagnosed. The group now has more than 130 members.

Stella Coffee, 38, of Waterdales, Northfleet, said: "The scale of interest has been unbelievable.

"It is just a matter of waiting and seeing. Hopefully we will have some answers - and a cause - so people won't have to go through this."

Gravesham council leader John Burden (Lab), who represents Northfleet South, said: "We're concerned about this and will be working closely with Meradin Peachey and the health authority to understand what the nature of the problem is and to help the residents."

According to local historian Christoph Bull, the rows of semi-detatched houses in Waterdales were built in the 1930s. He said he had heard no fears the ground was contaminated.

Cllr John Loughlin (Lab), representative for Northfleet South, moved to the town 45 years ago and remembers a landfill site on what is now Northfleet Country Urban Park.

He said: "The only concerns I have heard about contamination is from the pollution at the old cement works in Northfleet High Street."