A popular woodland has been shut after "extensive damage" caused by storms sparked safety fears, with walkers "strongly urged" to avoid the area.

Larkey Valley Wood in Chartham, near Canterbury, suffered widespread damage in successive storms that have battered the country in the last week.

City council officers visited the site for an inspection yesterday, and found fallen trees blocking paths, with some left hanging broken overhead.

A council spokesman said: "This creates significant health and safety dangers that we, as the landowner, simply cannot ignore.

"Closing the woods is the only responsible action we can take."

The city council says it will be blocking the entrance to the site's car park to prevent access, and erecting signs to inform visitors the woods are closed.

The spokesman added: "Given the extensive area the woods covers, we clearly cannot stop people from entering if they are determined to do so. But we would strongly urge anyone thinking of visiting to keep well clear for their own safety.

"We will now be working with Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages the land on our behalf, to get the woods back into a safe condition.

"There is a lot to do and the ability to secure specialist contractors may be difficult. As a result, we cannot put a timescale on a reopening date at the moment.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause, but are absolutely certain that residents will understand the importance of the action we've taken."