Jets of water were sent high into the air after a water main punctured creating a Venetian-style river through the town.

The gushing water has caused traffic problems in the area, according to eyewitnesses, and residents have been warned that they may temporarily lose access to their water supply while work is done to rectify the situation.

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People have taken to social media to warn drivers to avoid the area. Alison Hughes posted on Facebook: "Not funny been sat in the same spot for 30 mins now trying to get out of Sainsburys."

Meanwhile, Karren Niblett posted: "As long as it ain't the main sewer pipe!"

Watch: Roads overflowing with water due to burst water mains. Credit: Harry Patten / Dartford Past, Present & Future

Watch: Water gushes down London Road, Crayford due to burst water mains. Credit: Tony Gilbert / Dartford Past, Present & Future

A spokesman for Thames Water said: “Our engineers have stopped the flow of water from the pipe which was damaged by nearby roadworks and the road is now reopen.

"While we repair the pipe some customers may find their water is temporarily switched off or they have low pressure – please bear with us, we’ll be working as fast as we can to get the area back to normal.”