FIREFIGHTERS were called to Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury, this afternoon after flash flooding left homes under water.

Rainwater had swept down the side of the valley at Wheelbarrow Town, flooding the road and two houses. One was under a foot of water in places.

A Canterbury fire crew pumped out the water from both homes into an old well in one of the gardens and chickens were rescued from their water-logged runs in the other. It was the third time in 10 years that the two houses had flooded.

Stone Street at Stelling Minnis was also impassable this afternoon when the road flooded at the junction with Curtis Lane.

Police redirected traffic through Stelling Minnis and Upper Hardres.