A damaged gas pipe in Halstead

Hundreds of homes and businesses are without gas after pipes were flooded with water.

Around 800 premises are affected in the Halstead area of Sevenoaks today.

Southern Gas Networks said it could be several days before engineers can reconnect supply.

The company said it would supply electric appliances to vulnerable people and an emergency centre has been set up in Knockholt village hall.

A Southern Gas Networks spokesman said: "Our engineers have made good progress so far today.

"The point at which the gas main was damaged by the burst water main has been repaired and most customers' supplies having been switched off at the meter.

"The difficult task of removing the thousands of litres of water from the gas main has now begun. Once this is complete, we can re-introduce gas into the dry gas pipes.

"Then when this is done, our engineers can visit every home to reconnect the gas supply and carry out essential safety checks."