A mobile crane left a trail of destruction after mounting a pavement in a residential street.

The vehicle left the road in Sherwood Drive in Whitstable just before 6pm yesterday, severely damaging the path and destroying a manhole cover.

Neighbours say they saw the crane hit the path close to the Lamb’s Walk junction.

Retired Margaret Barker, who has lived in the area for 25 years, says she saw a crane heading down Sherwood Drive outside her home.

“I was in the kitchen preparing dinner and heard this large, noisy vehicle coming down the road,” she said.

“It looked like a huge, mobile crane.

“From my house I can hear all the traffic passing, particularly when the windows are open, and it was a very loud noise.

“Presumably the tarmac has been very hot and is vulnerable to melting, and it was very loud.”

The destruction of the manhole cover has left a gaping hole in the middle of the path.

Kent County Council has been contacted for comment.