Plastic wrapping torn from a chimney in high winds could pose a safety risk, it is feared.

The tarpaulin was wrapped around the old mill chimney in South Darenth early this year to protect it from weather damage, but parts of the plastic sheeting were torn overnight.

South Darenth resident Del Cook, of Montgomery Road, said the heavy duty wrapping could cause an injury or even kill someone if it hit them.

"It's a danger to life," he said. "There's buildings directly below it, and if it hits anybody walking past it could cause an accident. People are in and out of the shop there all the time."

He believed the chimney was wrapped to prevent structural problems developing from weather damage, but did not believe the tower was at risk of collapse.

David Taylor of Hadley Scaffolding, which erected the sheeting early this year, said the company was no longer responsible for it.

Sevenoaks Council say they have sent a surveyor to inspect the site.