Survival expert Bear Grylls has hailed scouts in Yalding as heroes.

The chief scout, who is famed for his TV series Born Survivor, posted a message on Twitter praising them for their efforts when the village was struck by the most severe floods ever seen.

Mr Grylls said: “My scouting heroes for this year are the Yalding scouts.

“On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, when all that horrific flooding was taking place, what were they doing? They were out there, in their canoes, saving lives, helping people and making a difference.

“For me that’s what makes them my scouting heroes.”

Maidstone Council placed 36 households in emergency accommodation following the floods, which continued to impact residents until the beginning of the month.