Plans for a huge new reservoir at Broad Oak go on show later this month, which reveal the scale and location of the proposed vast lake.

South East Water says the extra supply will be necessary to meet the growing demand around Canterbury where thousands of new homes are to be built.

The company's head of water resources Lee Dance said: “We’re looking far into the future, right to 2080, to make sure we have a secure and resilient water supply for homes and businesses in east Kent, while also balancing the needs of the environment and keeping customers’ bills down.

“Plans for a reservoir at Broad Oak have been in the pipeline for many decades, and we’re now at a point where we’re moving forward with design work.

"As part of that we’re keen to hear what the local community think of the reservoir plan so far and incorporate any further ideas they have into the latest proposal."

He said the the reservoir is one scheme among a range of others across the south east which represents a £1 billion investment in water supply infrastructure.

"We’ve developed our plans with input from customers, communities, other water suppliers and our stakeholders and takes into account forecasts of future population and housing growth as well as the uncertainty of climate change," he said.

The proposals go on show at a series of exhibitions taking place over three days.

The first is on Monday, April 23 between 2.30pm and 8pm at Tyler’s Kiln in Hackington Road.

The following day the exhibition will be between midday and 8pm at Broad Oak village hall and on Thursday, April 26 it will be at Sturry Social Centre from 12.30pm to 8pm.

The draft plan is also available to view on the company’s dedicated webpage, www.southeastwater.co.uk/yourwateryoursay where consultation feedback can also be submitted.