Residents have criticised a council's slow response after rain overnight left a main road under up to two feet of water.

The downpour caused severe flooding in Whistable Road, opposite Faversham Recreation Ground.

Denise Knights, 56, lives in Park Row and said the water came up to her front door and swept her mat away.

She said: "I've just been down the road to collect mine and my neighbour's doormats."

According to Ms Knights, the major road persistently floods because drains in Park Row, Park Road and East Street are frequently blocked with grass, leaves and litter from the recreation ground.

"As soon as it rains, all the water comes running in, so it just comes down like a river and sits in this little gully here," she continued.

"For two years, we have been trying to get something done. We raised a complaint in April, and it just hasn't escalated since then.

"[This morning's rain] covered the paths on both sides, and the bus stop. It would come up to just below my knees if I went into the road.

"This was the worst I have seen it, but it happens every time we have rain. My neighbours and I keep an eye on the weather to make sure someone in our three houses is around if it does.

"We try to keep the drains clear, but it's too dangerous to go out there at rush hour, and why should we have to anyway?"

Ms Knights and her neighbours are desperate for Kent County Council to keep the drains clear of debris, or create an alternative gully to stop water from collecting in main roads.

"It's a danger to property and life," she continued.

"When we report it, we get a roadsweeper, but it's down to us to have to tell them to do it.

"The rec sends all its water into the main entrance and exit for Faversham. It's a ridiculous situation.

"But if they kept the drains clear, we wouldn't have this problem. This is totally preventable.

"We residents shouldn't be putting our lives in danger by sweeping the roads.

"But we have to do it to protect our property. Water damage is never good for brickwork. And it makes a complete mess, as the water is so dirty."

Faversham councillor Antony Hook said he had written to KCC this morning, asking for better drainage in Whitstable Road and Mountfield, a low-lying residential cul-de-sac which also frequently floods.

He said: "In both cases there is a clear danger to people, vehicles, pets and property.

"Both these problem areas have been referred to Kent Highways before and are long overdue remedial action."

A Kent County Council spokesman said: "The drains on Whitstable Road are routinely cleaned as part of our annual programme of gully maintenance and were last attended in March 2018 when all but six of the drains were cleaned and found to be free flowing.

"Those drains could not be cleaned because of access restrictions and three of those were found to need further cleansing.

"With regards to the flooding that occurred on July 31, Whitstable Road was attended by a highway steward on Tuesday morning.

"The cause of the flooding was considered to be a combination of the intensity of rainfall and the volume of water pouring off the recreation ground onto the road.

"The highway drainage system is not designed to accommodate this additional volume of water and KCC will be contacting the land owners of the recreation ground with regards to installing adequate drainage.

"Arrangements have been made for additional cleansing to be carried out within the next seven working days."