Motorists slowed to a crawl as patches of heavy flooding engulfed the A28 from Ashford to Tenterden this morning.

The driving rain seemed caused fountains of water to be thrown up as drivers tried to negoitate tricky areas along the road through Bethersden, High Halden and St Michaels in particular.

A number of fields showed heavy flooding and the area outside Greenways garden centre at Bethersden was particularly treacherous.

Closer to Tenterden town centre the rain continued to be a problem, slowing traffic and causing large pools to gather in Bridewell Lane car park.

The junction of the A28 and Shoreham Lane at St Michaels was badly affected, swamping part of the greenway and surrounding a park bench while cars ploughed past.

Meanwhile, Ashford's Stour Centre car park became another victim of floods.

Water in the sport centre parking area appeared ankle deep as the nearby East Stour river burst its banks.

The Stour Centre area was affected after more than two inches of rain fell over the last couple of days.

An Ashford Borough Council spokesman said today: "We had to close both the Tannery Lane and Station Road entrances due to flooding.

"Cars can still leave the car parks with extreme care.

"The situation is being closely monitored and we are posting updates on our websites as the situation changes."

Visitors to the Civic and Stour Centre were advised to parked in the Dover Place and Station Road car parks.

The nearby Henwood car park was also closed and was set to remain shut for the rest of the day.