A mound of rubbish abandoned in a Maidstone street has left households feeling down in the dumps.

The eyesore, off Queen's Road, includes a toilet, children's toys, mattresses, garden furniture and bin bags of smashed glass.

Problems began last weekend when Maidstone council's roadside rubbish collection team left behind a small amount of goods.

Since then residents claim neighbours and builders have dumped more waste, adding to the mess, which is just metres from West Borough Primary School's entrance in Greenway.

It comes as Maidstone-born comedian Angela Barnes appeared on Radio 4's Today programme, saying: "If Kent is the Garden of England, Maidstone is where they've hidden all the washing machines and mattresses."

Suzanne Stone, who lives next to the mound, said: "It's disgraceful, it's been dumped right next to a school and makes the area unsafe for children."

The mum-of-four added: "I've seen other residents go out and dump rubbish on the pile in daylight.

"We're trying to sell our house and viewers think we're living in the middle of a tip.

"One flicked cigarette and it could go up in flames. I can't let my eight-year-old daughter play out and it's impossible to walk my dog.

"It's such a shame. Most people around here take a lot of care looking after their gardens."

Two Maidstone council environmental officers visited the site yesterday to investigate. The council could not say when it will be cleared.

The authority said offenders could face fines of up to £50,000 or a six-month prison sentence and is appealing for anyone with information to call 01622 602600.

Despite warnings of eye-watering fines, Maidstone council only made £75 from prosecutions last year. The authority spent more than £60,000 investigating incidents.

Meanwhile residents have also condemned people who left a mound of refuse on a rural track between Bearsted and Detling.

The pile includes a bathroom cabinet, rug, a bath, and a box for a 50 inch TV.

In a post on Facebook shared more than 400 times, Paul Woodard said: "Some low-life has dumped all this in beautiful countryside on Hockers Lane near Bearsted. I want to find them.

"This is only the latest. There are several more piles further along the track."

Richard Ash, a Bearsted parish councillor visited the site a fortnight ago while researching a new planning application. He said: "I saw a lot of white goods and more further on the path.

"There seems to be rubbish all over the area."