TRANSCO, the gas supplier, says it has discovered no fault with any of the gas pipes supplying houses destroyed in an explosion in Abbey Street at Faversham last weekend.

It has been carrying out investigations into the cause of a blast which wrecked two homes and damaged a number of other properties.

Company spokesman Geoff Aspel said a fault had been ruled out after all pipes and connections in the street were tested. He said the blast was probably linked to a faulty electrical device.

Mr Aspel said: "We have tested all pipes and connections in Abbey Street and concluded that Transco is not at fault."

Eight families whose houses were evacuated in the aftermath of Sunday's explosion have been allowed to return home. But it has emerged 12 other properties will be unfit for habitation until vital repair work is carried out.

One resident, 86-year-old Elsie Howland, remains in a stable condition in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. She suffered bruising and burns to her legs and face.