Local companies are being drafted in by Kent County Council to help mend the county's potholes.

KCC is asking small and medium-sized businesses to bid for the work to find and fix defects on the roads.

The council has agreed to spend at least £1million on sorting out the problems caused during this winter's cold snap.

KCC leader Cllr Paul Carter said: "I hope we can start this programme probably in early April providing the weather's fit and appropriate."

Audio: Cllr Paul Carter talks about the pothole problem

Cllr Carter argued the work could not be done immediately, despite people's frustrations.

He said: "You've got to do it when the weather's right. It's not the time to do repairs that will pass the test of time. You’ve got to wait for the frost to subside and for the water table to subside as well.

"Those potholes that are of a safety issue will get repaired pretty quickly through the normal highways contract."

KCC hopes the scheme will be a boost for companies still suffering as a result of the economic downturn.