A father has hit out at a house building firm after it has taken more than a year to replace a lightbulb in a street lamp.

Elliott Jayes, of Thistle Walk, on the Thistle Hill estate in Minster, has contacted directors of Bovis Homes, in a bid to get the brightness back before the early darkness sets in.

The 29-year-old said the light, which is in Thistle Walk, is essential so his four-year-old daughter Amber and visitors feel safe.

Mr Jayes, who earns a living by transporting maritime pilots to captain ships, said: "I've been complaining at all levels since it stopped working about 13 months ago.

"I've sent emails to directors and they say it's being looked into.

"It's a nightmare and ridiculous. Visitors, especially elderly relatives, have to leave early before it gets dark because of it.

"It's so dark because the woodlands start in front of me, so it's a dark curtain for about a mile."

The independent councillor at Minster Parish Council added he has concerns about the risk of crime and antisocial behaviour in the area, while the alley is not lit.

"I don't think the directors of Bovis would let their children walk in it, so why should we," he added.

"It's a footpath, we have to walk through it to get to our home so we have to put up with it.

"I don't understand what's taking them so long to do anything about it, it was working at one point so it's not as if it doesn't have a power supply.

"How long does it take for them to replace a bulb."

The firm currently manages the street light, instead of Kent County Council.

The business issued a statement in September saying they hoped to complete the work by the end of the month.

A Bovis Homes spokesman said: "We are aware of the issue with the street lights at Thistle Walk and work has been ongoing to rectify this.

"We have been working with the local authority to change some specifications to ensure that they comply with adoptable standards.

"This approval has been received and the work is expected to be completed by the end of this month."

The work has yet to be carried out, according to Mr Jayes.