Damaged plastic sheeting has turned a historical landmark into an eyesore and is posing a risk to people living nearby, say worried residents.

The old mill chimney in South Darenth was wrapped in tarpaulin earlier this year to protect it from frost damage, but the plastic covering has been deteriorating since being ripped in high winds in September.

Further rough weather last week sent pieces of the heavy duty plastic flying over the surrounding village - and residents say people living and working around the chimney are at risk of injury.

Others have complained that the sound of the torn sheeting flapping in the wind is keeping them awake at night, and say property owners need to sort the situation out.

“It’s in a terrible state now,” said Del Cook of Montgomery Road, South Darenth. “There’s a massive piece of plastic hanging off the top.

“They came out the other day and trimmed off the bits that are hanging, rather than take the whole lot off, but the next lot of weather has come along and torn it to bits. It’s now exposed the brickwork so where they’ve been trying to prevent the frost getting into cracks there’s no protection.

“People are concerned about it and they’re also kept awake at night by the noise of the plastic flapping.”

“It’s just as dangerous - it’s ongoing thing for the residents, and people are getting frustrated because it’s being dealt with in such a bad way.”

Earlier this year David Taylor of Hadley Scaffolding, which erected the sheeting early this year, said the company was no longer responsible for it.

The owners of the mill chimney have been approached for comment.