A key town centre street has been cut off following a suspected sewer collapse.

Tufton Street in Ashford had barriers put up on the carriageway outside the magistrates court.

A spokesman for Kent Highway Services said: "This is due to a carriageway collapse, the cause of which has not yet been established but is believed to be a sewer collapse."

Tufton Street was closed today near the junction with Church Road.

Bank Street will also be shut to through traffic from the junction with Elwick Road for the repair works.

Access to Bank Street and Tufton Street is being allowed up to the point of closure as far as the court.

Tufton Street was virtually deserted this morning following warnings of the closure to motorists.

The one-way traffic system in Tufton Street and Bank Street will be suspended to allow traffic to exit into Elwick Road for the repair works.

The alternative route is via Church Road and Vicarage Lane.

Kent County Council said that bus stops are expected to be temporarily relocated to Church Road while the work takes place.

It is not yet known how long the repairs will take.