People were up all night after their homes and businesses flooded in Hythe.

Heavy rainfall from last night's storms crept into buildings in the High Street and Chapel Street, leaving behind inches of water, leaves and debris.

Darren Fakley, who only moved into his new home in Chapel Street 10 days ago, is today having to use an extractor to remove the flood water from his carpet.

He was moving furniture upstairs until 2am so it wouldn't become damaged.

He said: "I'm absolutely gutted. It is very upsetting.

"The flooring is ruined in the kitchen and living room. The water was two inches deep.

"There is a step down when you come into the house, and the water filled up to the back door.

"I've been getting the water out all night. I've had the day off work."

Mr Fakley blamed poor maintenance of the drains. He said: "It's all down to the road drains. They have not been cleared."

A nearby neighbour also had water come into her home.

She said: "It was just the sheer amount of water that came down, in such a short period of time.

"And you can't stop water."

Residents say the rainfall came rushing down Malthouse Hill, and then spread to the High Street and Chapel Street.

Wendy Llewellyn said the water came very close to coming into her home.

She said: "We have a step at our door, and the water was lapping over the step. It was very close.

"All the leaves go down the drains and they get blocked. So when it comes down heavy, the water has nowhere to go."

Sandbags have now been put outside Terry & Kent newsagents, which flooded overnight, with water spilling onto the shop floor.

Staff were having to use brooms to push the water and leaves out. The shop has still been able to open today.

The Globe Inn pushed its opening time back until 2.30pm due to the flood.

Andrew Ewart, who runs the pub, said it is the worse flooding he has seen in the road.

He said: "We have a flood barrier so it kept most of it out. But it's the worse flooding I've seen.

"The fire service have been out twice so far.

"It is because the drains are blocked.

"I have called Kent County Council, and hopefully they will come out today before the next storm."

Although the standing water has now gone from parts of the High Street, mud and leaves have been left behind.

A barrier has been placed at the entrance of David Snow Opticians, as the carpet is wet, and the floor of Wards estate agents is still soaked through.

Antiques shop, 18 the high street, had its back room flooded but no stock was damaged.

Towels, which had been used top dry the floor, were hung out to dry in the street today.

The fire service was called to the area at 11pm last night and they left at 7am this morning.

A spokesman for the service said: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to several reports of flooding overnight in Hythe.

"Crews were called to properties affected by floodwater in High Street and Chapel Street, and used submersible pumps to help clear the areas.

"No casualties were reported."

Kent County Council has been approached for a comment.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of surface water flooding in Hythe High Street on Wednesday night.

"Our officers are ready to support local authorities who manage the risk of flooding from surface water. We also urge people not to drive though flood water - it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

“Our teams are out on the ground checking and clearing trash screens and grilles on local waterways in preparation for further rain in the coming days."

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