Maidstone residents are desperately seeking a solution to a sinkhole that has been outside their homes for eight months.

Now more than a foot deep, it opened up in the front garden of a house in Springwood Road, Barming, and has affected an adjacent car park.

People in the area first noticed the hole after it opened up and swallowed a plant - and have reportedly been complaining to Russet Homes, which manages the properties, ever since.

The deep hollow spreads underneath the entrance to the car park and residents fear it could cause major damage if not repaired.

Lee Thwaites, who lives in the road, said: "No one has done anything about it. It's been left since last year and it's getting worse by the day.

"Hopefully no one will be injured, it's a worry to even walk over the dip. I don't know what it's going to take for Russet to fix it."

The owner of the property whose garden is affected says Russet has come out to examine the problem numerous times, but it still remains.

The woman, who declined to be named, said: "They've come out on multiple occasions and warned me to not walk on my front garden in case it gives way.

"The car park is getting lower every day and the vent on the side of my property is sinking with it.

"All they have done so far is put a piece of wood over it and put some barriers around the dip in the car park when it first appeared.

"They said they will fill it in but that won't solve the problem."

A Russet Homes spokesman said: "We've been monitoring the situation at Springwood Road and have made the area safe and continue to check the site on a regular basis.

"We're dealing with this as quickly as possible and have arranged for a consultant to attend the site.

"We will act on his recommendations as a matter of priority and keep the resident informed of progress."

Stories you might have missed

Jail for van driver who crushed security guard

Touching tributes to biker, 21, killed in crash

Firefighters rescue man from water-filled ditch

Model Kelly Brook reveals agony of second baby loss