Thousands of Kent's sewers are getting blocked because householders are flushing everything from cotton buds to false teeth down the toilet.

Southern Water has revealed workers had to deal with almost 3,000 clogged-up drains in the past 18 months - caused by things that should not be in them.

Medway had the highest amount of clogged-up pipes, with 670 reported.

There were also more than 600 across Thanet.

The water company says blockages are caused by things such as wet wipes and cotton buds going down the loo and mixing with fat and oil that's poured down the sink.

It can lead to flooding of homes, gardens, rivers or beaches.

Barry Evans, Southern Water manager, said: "We're encouraging people to think about just putting the 3 'P's down the toilet - that's pee, poo and paper and absolutely nothing else.

"Things like wet wipes are not to be put down the toilet but in the bin because they cause blockages.

"Fat and oil should be put into an old pot or bottle and then into the waste rather than down the sink to improve the situation for the community and the environment.

"It's looking after the environment that we're really keen on and looking after flooding incidents."

He said the company's workers had fished out everything from keys, credit cards, mobile phones and even beloved soft toys from the drains.

He added: "It's often accidental, but we just want people to be aware and cautious of what their putting down the toilet and drains."

Southern Water is highlighting the issue on World Toilet Day.

The day aims to break the taboo around toilets and draw attention to global sanitation issues.

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Flushing out Kent's loo facts... or how many sewers were blocked in your area

Medway: more than 670

Thanet: more than 600

Maidstone: almost 500

Ashford: more than 250

Dover: more than 250

Sittingbourne: almost 200

Gravesend: almost 200

Isle of Sheppey: more than 140

Canterbury: more than 130

Faversham: more than 50

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