Police have dealt with nearly 16,000 calls to their Force Communications Centre in Maidstone in the last four days - a 22 per cent increase on the normal volume.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Adams said: "Although these are challenging conditions our officers and staff are continuing to provide a first class service to the people of Kent.

"We have tried and tested plans for circumstances like this and all the evidence shows our preparations are working very well."

Meanwhile firefighters are keeping up with the number of calls over the weekend.

Kent Fire and Rescue praised local people for taking heed of safety messages both on the road and at home during the severe weather.

It has been a reasonably quiet 24 hours, with overnight calls to a couple of cars set alight, a skip fire, fire alarms and an electrical problem.

On Saturday, with forecasts of unprecedented weather conditions and worries about some more remote communities being cut off, the fire service asked the army to be on stand-by to assist with their heavy terrain 4x4 vehicles to supplement KFRS's own 4x4 capability.

They are now based in Ashford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Gravesend, Medway (Watling Street), Thanet (Westwood Cross) and Tunbridge Wells.

The units consist of a 4 tonne lorry and Land Rover, both of which have 4x4 capability.

So far they haven't been needed.

Steve Demetriou, Director of Operations, said: "Local people are being very sensible and listening to safety advice from ourselves and the other emergency services.

"Our crews have been doing an excellent job in very difficult conditions. Predictions of unprecedented and worsening weather conditions yesterday meant that we needed to make plans to be sure we could reach remote communities."