THREE people had to be evacuated after a severed water main flooded flats at a property in Tunbridge Wells.

Plumbers working on the fifth floor of a block of flats at Nevill Lodge, Ferndale, on Monday afternoon accidentally cut through the main but were then unable to find the stop cock.

Water cascaded down through a series of flats, flooding them to a depth of two or three inches, and causing extensive damage to the decor and contents.

Sub Officer Martin Elkins, from Tunbridge Wells fire station, said: "We were called out at about 3pm and a crew of five spent more than three hours dealing with the incident.

"We managed to locate the stop cock and cut off the water, and we also isolated the power supply to prevent any electrical problems.

"But we were then faced with an extensive salvage operation because of the amount of damage caused. Carpets had to be lifted from the concrete floors, furniture moved and water cleared to allow the drying out process to begin."

Mr Elkins added: "Three of the five flats were left uninhabitable and the residents, one of whom was an elderly gentleman aged 88, had to be moved to temporary accommodation in a local hotel."