The source of a strange leak, which has been bubbling through the road surface outside a Rushenden couple’s home for a fortnight, is still unknown.

Joy and Lee Ewart say water has even been spilling out from the kerb stones outside their house in Manor Road.

They alerted Southern Water which insists the water is not coming from a leaking pipe and instead believe it is being caused by high groundwater levels.

Mr Ewart, 50, said: “I have been in the house 20 years this year and we have not had this before so I can’t see how it could get out of the ground.

“Last week it was actually pouring out of next-door-but-one’s water meter.

“Southern Water came out and dug two holes next to each other and they filled up with water. Then the contractors paved them over. That’s something we couldn’t understand because surely they are going to have to dig the holes up again.”

Mr Ewart, who is chairman of Sheppey’s Fun 4 Life Cancer Research fundraiser, said he is worried a leak might be causing soil under the surface to de-stabilise.

Mrs Ewart, 46, said: “It’s definitely flowing and if it was groundwater it would have dried up by now.”

A Southern Water spokesman said the two holes had been dug to test for groundwater and not to access pipes.

He said: “We have been called to several reports of leaks in Manor Road over recent weeks.

“However, we have found no evidence of damaged pipes and believe this issue is being caused by high groundwater levels, following the wet winter weather.

“We have dug holes away from pipes to check these levels and each has subsequently filled up with what we believe is groundwater. Results of water tests to confirm the cause are due back soon.”