A concerned pensioner has warned her grandchildren not to walk across a footbridge as broken street lights mean parts of the crossing are left in total darkness.

The Eureka Skyway in Ashford, which connects the Warren Retail Park to Eureka Park over the M20, has several lights out from the Sainsbury's side.

Kent County Council (KCC) says it is because there is a fault with the private cable supplying these lights which it is waiting to fix.

But Quantock Drive resident Joan Jeffery feels something needs to be done as soon as possible now evenings are getting darker earlier.

The 80-year-old said: "It wasn’t so bad in the summer but I know a lot of children walk over there from school to Kennington.

"It is very worrying, I’ve told my grandchildren not to use it until they are fixed.

"I use it a couple of times a month but people use it every day so I want the lights back for their safety.

"It is pitch black and it has got worse and worse over the last year.

"They have also got little lights all along the bridge over the M20, but gradually they have started going too."

A KCC spokesperson said: “We are aware of several lights not working in this location.

"We have investigated and found that there is a fault with the private cable supplying these lights, however major excavation may be required to locate and repair the fault.

"The land is not owned by KCC therefore we will work with the landowner to carry out the necessary repairs.”

The landmark bridge at Junction 9 opened in 2011 and cost £8 million.

It was later named the Eureka Skyway after a panel comprising representatives from KCC, the Kentish Express and local councillors, ran a competition in the Kentish Express to find a name.