High levels of rainfall have landed residents in the Weald in it.

The sewerage systems in both Staplehurst and Marden have backed up and caused effluent to spill over into the street.

Some households have also had waste products bubbling up in their loos.

Elaine Mansell from Marden Road, in Staplehurst, described what happened.

"It started on Monday night," she said: "I noticed there was effluent bubbling up in our downstairs loo - it was just millimetres from the top.

"When I went outside with a torch, I found a drain cover on our drive had lifted and toilet tissues and a thin sludge was oozing out.

"I went up and down the road and found the same was happening to many of my neighbours."

She called Southern Water and a long wait ensued. An operative came out at around 4pm on Tuesday and as a result of whatever he did, the levels sank.

She said: "He washed down our drives quickly, but didn't do a very thorough job because he was called away to another emergency."

None of the 35 homes actually had sewage come into their homes, but since then, the problem has come back.

Mrs Mansell said: "It came up again this morning - and is currently an inch from the top of our loo. It has now stopped raining so we are praying it goes down again."

"It's been horrendous.We dare not run any water for fear of adding to the problem. We had to use the upstairs loo and not pull the chain."

She said: "The smell has come into the house, even if the sewage hasn't. I've got through no end of scented candles trying to cover it up.

"I was looking after my two-year-old grandson and we couldn't go out.

"If you do, you tramp it all back in."

Residents in Cockpits in Marden have been having similar experiences.

Mrs Mansell felt strongly she knew where the blame lay.

She said: "We've lived here since 2005.

"For several years there was no drama, but over the last couple of years, we've had a problem several times and it's getting worse."

She blamed the new housing. She said: "There are four new estates gone up within half a mile of our house.

"I was born and brought up in Staplehurst and I used to play in those fields.

"But I think the sewerage system just can't cope with the new homes."

Staplehurst Parish Council chairman Paddy Riordan said: "I’ve emailed Helen Grant MP asking that this matter must be dealt with with the utmost urgency, not just to deal with the immediate impact, but to ensure that it can never happen again.

"The situation would be bad enough at normal times, but one week before Christmas with residents looking forward to spending the Christmas holidays with family and friends including many young children, they are being subjected to the most horrendous problems which could clearly endanger their health."

He said: "Staplehurst Parish Council has consistently raised concerns about drainage problems in Staplehurst and the impact continued housing development is having on existing residential areas.

"We are currently putting together documentation to bring to Maidstone Borough Council to object to any further development in the 'call for sites' process in relation to the revision of the Local Plan."

Southern Water could not be reached for contact.

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