A loose manhole cover which sounds like “a gun going off” repeatedly is tormenting residents and business owners.

The faulty drain along Lower Stone Street in Maidstone has been loudly clanging for more than a month.

Phoebe, who lives in a nearby flat, says the constant noise is causing her to toss and turn in bed.

“I haven't had a full night’s sleep since it started,” she said. “I’m having to use earplugs every night.

“It weirdly sounds like a gun going off and also a train going over tracks.

“I don’t rest at night and I don't relax during the day. It’s around the clock, constantly affecting my life. It’s awful.

“The bags under my eyes are getting out of control.”

She has lived in her flat for more than seven years and says the clanging is the worst it has ever been.

It started around six weeks ago and goes off every time a vehicle wheel is driven directly over it.

Phoebe, who is in her early 30s and runs her own business from home, has resorted to wearing earplugs during the day as the sound can be clearly heard through her double glazing.

A 20-second video recorded during the morning rush captured the noise sounding six times.

That works out to be more than 1,000 times an hour.

“You can hear it throughout the entire apartment,” Phoebe explained.

“It is generally quite loud with traffic and when I have guests over, the windows are closed most of the time.

“But this is the most disruptive noise that I have had since I’ve been here – it is constant.

“I think living next to a train that runs just a couple of times an hour is better because at least it comes for a minute and then it’s gone.”

It has also become an issue for businesses along the road, which is a busy part of the one-way system in the town centre.

Zaman Qorbani has run nearby Maidstone Tailoring for the last 12 years.

He said: “Even during the quietest time of day, you might hear it every 10 seconds.

“Each car that passes through on that side of the road has to go over the drain cover, because they cannot avoid it.”

He added: “I don’t mind it, as I have a lot of things to do. There is a lot of noise that comes from my machines anyway.

“But for the people who are having to sleep near that for the past month, it must be horrible.”

Rebecca Grzyb from the dog grooming store, Best In Show, says it is worse during rush hour.

“It can be torturous when it’s every two seconds,” she said. “It sounds like someone is knocking constantly.

“It does get really annoying and makes work quite stressful when you’re constantly hearing it.

“Nothing seems to have been done, which is frustrating because it’s getting worse as well.

“I think it’s getting louder – it could collapse.”

Phoebe reported the problem to Kent County Council (KCC) on Friday, March 15 via its website and over the phone.

A representative told her she would have to wait 28 days to allow them to look into it.

On KCC’s website, it states faults such as streetlights and potholes aim to be fixed within this period, unless it is more serious “which could take longer”.

“Drainage investigations of defects or repeated flooding to be inspected within 28 days of referral to an engineer, who will perform a risk assessment to determine whether further work is required,” it goes on to say.

“I was so annoyed,” Phoebe said. “I asked if they could put anything temporary in place, like a barricade or a sign.

“They told me if I wanted to do anything, I could submit a complaint about the process and how long it is taking.

“Are you joking? You’re not even going to look at this issue – now you want me to submit a complaint?”

“That’s a complete waste of everyone’s time.”

Dog groomer Rebecca told KentOnline she had also reported it on the KCC online submission form a few weeks ago.

Phoebe called up a second time on Wednesday (April 24) for an update on the situation.

“They told me they came out 10 days ago and did a white outline,” she added.

“It had been sent to a contractor and someone would get back to me. I haven’t heard anything.”

KCC has been contacted for a comment.