A lawn mower is believed to have ripped a hole in a gas pipe in Maidstone, causing a number of people living nearby to be evacuated from their homes.

The gas leak, on a grass verge close to Downs View Road, was first reported to enemergency services at 10.50am.

Residents within a 150-metre radius were evacuated as a precaution and a 300-metre cordon was put in place for pedestrians while engineers from National Grid Gas investigated the leak.

A spokesman for Kent Police urged drivers to avoid the area, with Sandling Lane closed between the Running Horse roundabout and the junction with Wordsworth Road in Penenden Heath. Downs View Road and The Hedges were also shut, although all roads have since re-opened.

Insp Jay Allen from Kent Police said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation whilst we dealt with this incident.

"Although the road closures caused some inconvenience, they were all implemented to ensure the safety of the public."