Residents on a new housing estate blighted by vandalism will no longer have to pick up the cost of the damage caused.

Those living on the Royal Parade complex in Canterbury had been told their annual property management fee would be increased to cover the £20,000 bill of fixing broken lights, bollards, trees and swings.

Tommaso Dimiddo reports for KMTV

But Taylor Wimpey, the firm building the homes at the city development, has since confirmed it will provide funding for the works - with residents no longer facing hiked service charges.

However, the work will not take place until the week of February 7, with most of the damaged lights still on the ground, and some of those left standing not working because the power has been turned off.

Resident Maria Elena Vonan had her Christmas lights ripped down and her tree dumped on her doorstep over the festive period.

"It is scary because you don’t know what will happen next, and it is quite dark in the evening," she said.

"There are no lights and the only ones we have left are not working. I think these need to be repaired as soon as possible."

The trouble has been ongoing for the past year-and-a-half, with young vandals targeting the estate during the day and night.

Other residents say they have seen vandals carrying knives and witnessed rocks being thrown at houses and cars passing on Littlebourne Road.

But a spokesperson for the developers, Taylor Wimpey, said: "We are aware of the concerns of residents and apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of recent acts of vandalism at Royal Parade.

"While it is the responsibility of the management company to replace the bollard lighting at the development, Taylor Wimpey will provide funding for these works as a gesture of goodwill on this occasion.

"The lighting is currently scheduled to be replaced during the week beginning February 7 and we thank residents in advance for their cooperation as this work is carried out."

The HML Group confirmed Taylor Wimpey has made a donation for the full amount to replace the existing lights.

"We have the first batch due to be fitted the week of February 7, and all will be fitted with solar-powered vandal proof lights," a spokesperson said.

"As a result, a deduction has been applied to the service charges to take the donation into account."

Police say the investigation into the spate of crimes continues.