A second hole described as like a "swimming pool" has emerged in a village which has been plagued by ongoing water leaks.

Ferry Road in Iwade, Sittingbourne has already been labelled as “dangerous” as work continues for more than a year to fix a large hole in the middle of the street.

The road, which runs directly through the village, has seen part of it dug by engineers in a bid to solve the problem.

However plans to finish the project remain ongoing – despite Southern Water announcing work was due to finish last month.

Yet the problem has been compounded further by a second hole now being dug up - just metres away further down the street.

Councillor Roger Clark, 79, who lives in Peach Blossom Drive, said: "Another hole has opened up on Ferry Road.

"It's related to the existing hole which is still there - so it's all to do with the leak and the old problem.

"The old hole is still not filled in and still not done, as it has water coming out of it.

"They were hoping to get it fixed, but haven't.

"I'm trying to help get it done, but it won't be a quick fix - it means there's now two holes in the road."

The Tory councillor for Bobbing, Iwade and Lower Halstow described the work, and the congestion caused by temporary traffic lights, as an “absolute nuisance."

Speaking in July he raised concerns for parents and children visiting Iwade School – due to part of Ferry Road’s path being blocked near to it.

"It's a real pain and means everyone in Iwade is being affected," he explained.

“It just can't be left as it is because it’s dangerous, blocking driveways and part of the path, so it's just not on.

"It's an absolute nuisance - there's a huge hole in the road and it's making it so difficult to drive in and out of the area."

Meanwhile one resident added on social media this week: "Has Iwade got a new swimming pool?

"They are digging up another hole by the village hall - more havoc for Iwade.

"That hole was full of water when I passed it, and it should be in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest unrepaired leak."

An update by Southern Water confirms the utility company remain determined to fix the problem.

Engineers, a digger and new temporary traffic lights have been spotted in the road.

A spokesman for the company said: "I want to stress how seriously we are taking this issue and we want to resolve it as soon as possible, so the impact on the village reduces.

"Different methods of leakage detection have been ongoing for a number of weeks but we have not yet found a leak.

"Water found during the investigation so far has been tested but it was not fresh water, which indicates it is not a leak.

"You will notice them (engineers) in and around the large hole we have dug outside Iwade Village Hall, as we continue our leakage detection and check a smaller area of the 18-inch water pipe to try and pinpoint any leak.

"Our contractor is also immediately looking into the safety step in this area, to ensure it is not a health and safety hazard with the puddle of water.

"Although a date hasn’t been confirmed yet, we will also be undertaking a CCTV survey of the water main to see what is happening inside the pipe, which will help us detect any potential issues and leaks.

"We are very sorry for the disruption our leakage detection is causing."