An ancient church wall has collapsed onto the pavement of a busy town centre road causing more than £20,000 worth of damage.

A large section of the Grade II-listed stone wall outside St Margaret's Church in Rainham has come toppling down onto the High Street, narrowly missing passers-by.

The Rev Nathan Ward, the vicar of Rainham, believes the structure has been weakened by increased heavy traffic hurtling past on the A2 at all times of day.

In recent months, drivers have been using the stretch between Rainham and Faversham while lengthy and delayed works are being carried out on the Stockbury roundabout.

The wet and freezing weather may have also played a part in the collapse which has endangered three other sections, including the retaining wall to the graveyard near the neighbouring Cricketers pub and a footpath leading to a public car park.

Structural engineers have been called in to oversee the rebuild and architects are drawing up plans to ensure the wall, which is hundreds of years old and borders a graveyard dating back to Saxon times, is replicated.

Part of the footpath is closed, including the entrance to the public car park behind the pub.

Mr Ward, said: "This one of the oldest walls in Rainham and this is a very complicated job.

"We had structural engineers do a survey at the beginning of last year and everything was fine.

"It's a nightmare and has come as a complete surprise.

"Insurance will cover the bulk of the work which should come to between £15,000 to £20,000. But the rest will come down to the church and donations on a plate. And we're going to need a big plate."

Mr Ward said original stones would be used in the reconstruction and some work had been done to keep it watertight and prevent a further fall.

But lime mortar cannot be used in cold weather so the work might have to be delayed until the spring.

It is hoped the cheaper option of pinning parts of the structure might be enough to ensure it is safe.

He said: "Our CCTV shows the wall collapsed early morning – seconds later and it could have a hit somebody.

"You can see a large petrol tanker and articulated lorry driving past. This road has never been busier.

"It's not like repairing your garden wall. There are bodies of loved ones buried next to the wall.

"We are taking our time and looking at everything in context."

About six metres of stonework fell to the ground at about 8am just before Christmas.

Meanwhile motorists using the car park can access it via Orchard Street.