Furious residents are calling for closer monitoring of water levels after a canal burst its banks and flooded their homes.

More than 10 properties in Romney Way, Hythe, were affected this week - 22 years after the area was last hit by flooding.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) supplied sandbags but neighbours say the Environment Agency (EA) should provide more information about the Royal Military Canal, which runs alongside their properties.

Water did not visibly enter the houses but several garages had to be cleared, with neighbours borrowing pumps to clear their properties.

Marlon Harman was living in the street when flooding last hit the area and says the authorities promised then it would not happen again.

“Other than the sandbags there’s been no support on offer this week,” the 59-year-old said.

“Now at my expense, I have to take up the floor and pump water out from underneath the house.

“Whoever is responsible needs to monitor the canal levels better and make sure this doesn't reoccur again.”

The fire service was contacted on Monday as residents panicked over the amount of water.

Maureen Adaway, 82, said: “I was scared because my house is rented. I thought what do I do if it comes indoors?

“I panicked as I could see the water getting higher and higher; it flooded the whole road.”

Leonard Maris, who has lived in Romney Way for 40 years, says this week’s flooding was almost as bad as previous incidents.

The 81-year-old said: “Twenty-two years ago it was worse; we came back one night and the water was six inches deep in the road.

“The flooding wasn’t as bad this week - it got into our utility room last time and we had to claim it on the insurance.

“But it’s the same fault as before - the canal either needs a higher bank or lower water in the winter months.”

Raymond Reddin, who has lived in the road for 14 years, has been left to assess the damage after his garage flooded.

He said: “I took out gallons and gallons of it from my garage. I managed to save some things but there’s still water in there.”

An EA spokesman says flood alerts are issued on the government’s website, and a spring tide combined with already high water levels caused the flooding this week.

They said: “The river water behind the sea wall at Hythe discharges through a culvert in the sea wall, but during spring high tides the level of the sea can hinder this discharge. This is known as 'tide locking’.

“Monday experienced a spring high tide. Where the tide level was so high it prevented the river water from discharging effectively, raising canal levels higher.”