Aylesford High Street will be closed tonight and tomorrow night after bad weather damaged recently repaired pipework, making it dangerous.

The road will be shut from outside number 30 to Lodge Farm, between 7pm and 6am tomorrow.

A diversion will be in place via Rochester Road, Pilgrims' Way and Bull Lane.

South East Water’s regional network manager, David Winterburn said: "Recent weather conditions have meant a temporary reinstatement following a leak repair has deteriorated to a point where it has become a hazard.

"We have temporarily made the defect safe and plan to permanently reinstate it this evening.

"To keep our contractor and workforce safe, we will need to close the road. A diversion will be in place and we plan to have the road opened up by tomorrow morning.

"As the repair is a safety concern, we are treating the situation as an emergency and unfortunately this means it is not always possible to give more notice to residents and motorists.

"We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this essential work has caused and thank everyone in advance for their patience and co-operation."

Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch challenged Kent County Council, which authorises road closures, over why residents were not given more notice.

The authority responded saying they were urgent works that were only agreed just after 11am today.