Mean-spirited council officers threatened to fine a mum unless she removed a communal paddling pool on one of the hottest days of the year.

Families and children had been using the 10ft pool on the green at Craddock Road in Canterbury throughout May and June, when temperatures soared into the 30s.

It had been put up by a mother living on the estate who has no garden at her property and hoped it could be used all summer.

But after a neighbour complained to East Kent Housing (EKH), which manages the social housing in the road, a team was sent in to investigate and made her take it down.

She is reluctant to speak out publicly despite people praising her community spirit, but says the children are devastated.

“Four families used that pool in our square, none with gardens,” she said.

“There was always an adult present. I’ve had the head of the council say it’s a health and safety and insurance issue as even though we watch it while it’s in use, we can’t watch it all night long and if someone fell in drunk, insurance wouldn’t cover it.”

She says she is waiting to see if she can have it up during the day and take it down at night, but admits this would be a waste of water.

"The warm weather and longer days meant the pool and barbecue were being used late into the evening, but this was affecting others living nearby" - Canterbury City Council

The mum-of-one claims the housing officer told her if she did not remove it by the next morning she would be hit with an £85 fine.

Canterbury City Council spokesman Rob Davies confirmed the authority had asked for the pool to be taken down.

“Our colleagues at EKH received a complaint from a resident about incidents of anti-social behaviour at the flats in Craddock Road, which were centred around a large swimming or paddling pool and a barbecue which had been put up in the communal garden,” he said.

“This is a breach of the tenancy agreement and EKH officers investigated.

"The warm weather and longer days meant the pool, which has been there since May, and barbecue were being used late into the evening, but this was affecting others living nearby.

“The pool was being left unattended and full of water on land which is open to the public, and neither the city council nor EKH could ensure it is safe for other residents or passers-by.”