A DEADLY prank that could have killed innocent road users was averted after eagle-eyed security staff spotted two men putting electrical cable across a road.

Two CCTV operators at the Ashford designer outlet saw the men acting suspiciously in Kimberley Way, which leads to the all-night Asda store, at 2.30am on Tuesday.

Police believe the men were going to film someone hitting the wire on a mobile phone in a happy slapping-style stunt.

The security guards watched in horror as two men secured a line at a height of about four feet, across the dual carriageway before hiding in the bushes.

They alerted police and patrol cars were quickly at the scene to take down the wire. Officers said the wire would have knocked a motorcyclist off his bike, with possibly fatal consequences.

Ch Insp Stuart Kehily said: "It is shocking to think what could have happened if a motorist had driven into the cable. Thanks to the swift action of the CCTV operators and patrol officers, a tragedy has been averted."

Two men from the Ashford area, aged 22 and 23, were arrested and have been released on conditional police bail until September 23.

* FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS.