A charity shop and pharmacy were flooded after a mum-of-four put up an 8ft paddling pool on a flat roof.

Melissa McCarthy was told by Ashford Borough Council she would be fined for the removal of the pool if she did not take it down.

The 28-year-old, who lives above the YMCA shop and Well Pharmacy in Brookfield Court, Ashford, set it up for her family to play in.

But water seeped through the tiles and into the businesses below when Ms McCarthy emptied the pool.

A council spokesman said: “The tenant lives above shops in Brookfield Court and has been placing a large pool, measuring approximately 8ft in diameter, on the flat roof above the retail unit below which is occupied by the YMCA charity shop.

“This pool is much bigger than most children’s paddling pools and holds about 2,000 litres of water. “When the tenant empties the pool it swamps the guttering, cascading down and causing flooding and damage to the shop below.

“The manager of the YMCA has reported to us that the water has caused a loss of stock, which the charity can ill afford to lose.

"It has also caused damage to the suspended ceilings in the shop.

“We contacted the tenant and instructed that the pool be removed to prevent any further damage to the shop below. Our instructions were ignored and we have reports that the pool has since been used again on the flat roof.

“Unfortunately our staff dealing with this issue were subjected to inappropriate behaviour which is considered a breach of tenancy conditions and may result in further action.”

Ms McCarthy says the problem is caused by the council as the authority is not clearing the guttering at her property.

She said: “The council has told us we are not allowed to have a swimming pool.

“But my three-year-old is absolutely distraught and it’s been too hot for her to play outside.

“I shouldn’t have to take down my pool - it is the council’s problem for not fixing the drains.

“If it starts to rain heavily, it will cause the same problem.”

Ms McCarthy, who is expecting a fifth child, says the pool helps keeps her cool and prevents her from passing out during her pregnancy.

But Well Pharmacy manager Dhanuja Elsa Varghese said: “When the tenant living above empties her swimming pool, the water pours right down the back of our store.

“The guttering is blocked and the water leaks through our shop - it has been happening for years now and no one does anything about it.

“This is an ongoing issue that has never been resolved.

"Someone needs to take responsibility.”