Whitstable's Gorrell Tank car park will not fully reopen in time for the summer rush, water company bosses have confessed.

And Southern Water says it could be several months before decide the site's fate including whether to open up the half of the car park that is currently closed.

The Gorrell Tank in Westgate Terrace is on land owned by the water company and protects homes from flooding during storms. The car park sits on top.

The car park was closed in April after some of the tank's supporting columns were found to have corroded.

Repairs were made and half of the car park was reopened in July.

Southern Water say columns under the other half of the car park need to be fixed before it can open and they are exploring the possibility of reconfiguring the tank.

They say will not carry out any more repairs until that process is complete which is likely to take several months.

Mel Karam, the company's director of infrastructure, said: "We will make every effort to ensure half of the car park remains open over the coming year.

"However, we need to look at the practicality of carrying out further repairs to the tank in its current state and investigate whether investing in an alternative setup would be better.

“It would not be prudent for us to spend customers’ money on repairs if it could be spent on redesigning and improving the site.

“We are mindful of the need for car parking spaces in Whitstable, especially in the popular summer months and are working with the council to ensure that ample parking continues to be available.”

Canterbury City Council has ruled out using Westmeads recreation ground to make up for the loss of parking spaces after controversy dogged the idea last year.

Cllr Peter Vickery-Jones (Con), executive member for transport, said: “Parking in Whitstable is always under pressure in the summer and the council is working hard to provide a good number of spaces to offset the continuing loss of half of the tank.

“We’re delighted to announce the support of the KM Media Group, which owns this website and the Whitstable Gazette, and George Wilson in running a park-and-ride service from Estuary View again.

"We will also be able to fund an extension to the charity car park at Whitstable Junior School during the summer holidays for a second year.

“At this time, having heard the views of residents last year, we have no plans to use Westmeads recreation ground for parking.”