A woman watched in horror as her "lawn disappeared into the ground" after a gaping hole opened up at the end of her garden.

The hole, measuring 8ft wide and almost 10ft deep, stretches under the fence after appearing both inside and outside The Washboard and Mangle laundrette, in Foley Street, Maidstone, which borders her land.

The laundrette has been forced to close as a result. Business owner Jeanette Perkins says she has been "shocked and absolutely devastated" by the incident which is thought to have been caused by a leaking water pipe.

The 65-year-old said: "The person who lives next to the laundrette rung me as she was watching her lawn disappear into the ground.

"She also called the fire brigade, as there were a lot of the foundations of the building on show.

"I raced to the laundrette and I could see that the sinkhole had opened up beneath the building along the back wall which borders with the neighbour's land."

The Washboard and Mangle was built in the garden of Jeanette's childhood home 54 years ago.

She believes the hole is about 8-10ft deep and 8ft wide.

She said: "We were given a short amount of time to go into the laundrette and remove valuable items which included our clients' laundry.

"South East Water and Southern Gas Network (SGN) also came to turn off all the mains.

"The business is insured and an investigation is ongoing.

"I took over the laundrette from my parents 30 years ago and now my income has stopped overnight."

Jeanette spent three days apologising to customers after the hole appeared on Tuesday, December 27.

However, she says her customers have been "magnificent and compassionate."

She explained: "We were doing so well after lockdown and my staff, my ladies, this wasn't just their job but their life.

"I don't know what's going to happen going forward."

After looking after families' laundry for three decades Jeanette feels the laundrette has become a community.

She added: "My clients have been so wonderful and understanding.

"I've looked after family's laundry for three decades.

"I've helped many clients through difficult times including when they've lost a loved one and I've taken care of their washing for them whilst they're grieving.

"We're not just a laundrette, we're part of the local community.

"I have no idea what comes next. I haven't heard back from my insurance yet and until I hear from them I can't comment on the future of the laundrette.

"My main priority, for now, is to look after my staff but there is only so long a little business can continue without income."

The three full-time laundry attendants are still getting their wages paid by Jeanette, however, she has no idea how long she can keep that going.

Jeanette said: "I really don't know what happens next. Right now I can't even go into my own building.

"I belong to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and they are providing me with all the legal advice I need.

"I advise any small business to join the FSB because they can help you through a crisis like this.

"Small businesses need all the help they can get."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews were sent to the incident to help make the scene safe.

Steve Andrews, head of central operations at South East Water, added: “A water technician visited the site alongside the fire brigade and found a leak on the customer’s private supply pipe inside the property.

“The water supply has been turned off to avoid causing any more damage.”

A spokesman for SGN also confirmed they were in attendance.

They said: "We were called to support the emergency services with a sinkhole, in our capacity as the gas emergency service in the area.

"As a precaution, our engineers disconnected the gas service to the affected property."