A winter fair is causing traffic chaos on the roads.

Motorists are facing long delays near the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, on the A228, with some guests being turned away.

The Wealden Times Midwinter fair is being held at the site today, tomorrow and Saturday.

Visitors and bus companies have complained of long waiting times and parking problems, as well as some people being told they will need to visit another day.

Nicky Bushnell fumed: "Are you bloody kidding! We've just queued for 50 minutes to be told the car park is closed and to come back another day."

While Helen Jane warned others: "Don’t go... traffic is miles long. Completely gridlocked around East Peckham and Paddock Wood.

"Ambulances struggling to get through. It’s a complete mess."

One woman urged people not to take out their frustrations on staff who have been trying to rescue cars from a muddy car park.

She said: "We were lucky and arrived at 9.20am. Left at 11.50am and many cars with their drivers being towed out as got stuck in mud trying to get out.

"We were lucky and got out okay. Staff in car park were trying their best to guide drivers the best way out across mud thick wet fields.

"Tractors were working hard. Be kind to car park staff, weather not their fault."

Multiple people who were intending to visit have urged organisers to offer refunds.

The parking problems and high number of visitors has caused problems for many motorists, including Arriva who told customers they are facing hour-long delays.

A spokesman said: "Due to cars queuing to get into Winter Fair at the Hop Farm, there are very long delays, around one hour each way."

Sam Wheeler tweeted: "The Hop Farm/Wealden Xmas fair is causing utter chaos on the A228.

"I have been sitting in traffic on Paddock Wood for nearly an hour."

Kent Police's Tonbridge and Malling account replied: "TMBC have informed us that there are issues with the parking facilities for the event that is being held at the Hop Farm. However, Kent Police have not received any calls from members of public."

Another man tagged the Hop Farm, adding: "Sort out your traffic management it’s causing chaos on the A228."

While winter fair customer Kate Davies said: "Just left the Hop Farm and Wealden Times Midwinter fair.

"Postives - stalls/fair was lovely, got some nice things. Negatives - parking was a nightmare born of mud, water and hell.

"The venue didn’t have Wi-Fi for the stallholders so paying by card was a mixture of luck & prayer."

The chaos at the Hop Farm is similar to last year's Winter Wonderland at the Kent County Showground, where hold-ups accessing the venue left some people in tears. Organisers were forced to apologise for the mayhem.

A Hop Farm spokesman said: “As most are aware, the South East has had flooding overnight after a deluge of rain yesterday which meant until the ground water had drained some of the car parking fields were out of action in the morning thereby slowing parking down and limiting spaces.

"Thankfully for the next few days no more rain is forecast.

"We appreciate there was queuing in the morning to get in, but we did our best to get attendees to the event parked as quickly as possible in difficult circumstances.”

Police and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council were approached for more information.