A 'massive cash injection' for residential streets is desperately needed, says the AA, which claims its patrols are this month getting more than 200 extra calls a day to help vehicles damaged by potholes.

Already difficult road conditions and recent heavy rain is resulting in crumbling surfaces across towns and cities, claims the breakdown service.

Since the beginning of the month it says mechanics have been called to - on average - an additional 225 breakdowns each day in England as a result of drivers hitting holes in the road surface.

Causing punctures, blowouts and even suspension damage the AA says November's rain and subsequent higher levels of standing water is also now hiding potholes from plain sight. Rain-obscured potholes, it says, can also prove extremely dangerous for cyclists and motorcyclists.

Kent has already been hit by flooding this month after a deluge of heavy rain led to weather warnings and flood alerts and left numerous residential streets under water at the start of November.

With more bad weather expected in the county this week, including a yellow weather warning for heavy persistent rain between Wednesday and Thursday - the AA is warning drivers to be aware of the damage to road surfaces that may be lurking underneath water on the road.

And ahead of Thursday's budget announcement - in which swingeing cuts to public spending are expected as new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his chancellor Jeremy Hunt attempt to balance the UK's finances - the AA is urging the government to at the very least maintain local roads maintenance funding even if there is little scope to increase it.

Edmund King, AA president, explained: “Potholes hidden by rainfall are one of the worst things all road users must overcome when they head out. Well hidden potholes, deeper than expected, and with the ability to cause monumental damage mean our crumbling roads are deteriorating at a rapid rate.

"An additional 225 pothole related breakdowns a day in November alone is shocking and will only worsen as more rain is predicted and the weather turns cold – causing more damage along the way.

"On safety grounds alone, we need to see local road investment maintained, but the reality is our residential streets need a massive cash injection."