A fed-up gran says “dangerous” potholes are putting mobility scooter riders’ lives at risk every day.

Margaret Pryke from South Willesborogh uses her scooter to get into Ashford town centre three times a week.

The 84-year-old former nurse often has to come off narrow paths and onto the road - but huge bumps make it extremely uncomfortable for her to use.

It also limits the routes she can take, as she has to avoid damaging her £3,000 scooter, which she bought in July and says has become a lifeline.

Newtown Road and Cudworth Road in particular are the two streets she would like to see prioritised for repairs.

Mrs Pryke, who has already damaged her back because of potholes, said: “It's a problem throughout the whole of Ashford.

“For people like me in South Willesborough, we have got enormous great potholes down Cudworth Road and some of the footpaths are so narrow and they have telegraph poles in the middle.

“It is difficult for people like me who use scooters because they get damaged because of the potholes.

“I don't use Newtown Road any more because of the potholes - they are dangerous.

“I now come down Cudworth Road and use the river walk which also needs attention because there are brambles growing everywhere and cyclists could lose an eye if they are not careful.”

Mrs Pryke, who used to work at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, says for people who use smaller scooters, going over rocky roads is “very painful on your spine”.

“The roads need to be resurfaced, not just for drivers but for scooter riders too,” she added.

“We don’t ask for these scooters - we use them because we have to. We can’t get about without them.

“I have been active all my life but I can’t walk very far now and the scooter gets me out so I don’t sit about and mope like I used to.“

Newtown Road has recently reopened following a seven-week closure while electrical cables were laid.

But furious residents have slammed the authorities for failing to fix a single pothole during that time.

The closure of the stretch connecting South Willesborough to the town centre caused headaches for motorists as the route is used by thousands every day.

Kent County Council (KCC) owns and manages public roads across the county but the recent spate of works were carried out by UK Power Networks.

The potholes existed even before the works were carried out.

A spokesperson from KCC said: "We want to reassure residents that Newtown Road in Ashford is set to have junction alterations and carriageway resurfacing.

“We are unable to give a date for the start of these works as this is the responsibility of the developer, Quinn Estates.

“In the interim, KCC are arranging some minor repairs to any eroded areas."

Ashford International Development Company is behind the plans for the long-awaited studios opposite Penny Place in Newtown Road.

The organisation – 65% owned by Ashford Borough Council and 35% by developers Quinn Estates - says it is planning to start the roadworks project before Christmas.

It added: “We have been working closely with Kent Highways to create two entrances to the site and the inclusion of a pedestrian crossing to improve road safety to Ellison Way.

“As part of these works, we will also be resurfacing this area of the road.

“We are currently working through the final details and section 278 agreements, and we are hoping to commence these road improvements prior to Christmas.”

Alongside resurfacing, two entrances will be created to the site alongside the inclusion of a pedestrian crossing.

Netflix, Amazon and HBO have all previously been linked with the development.