More than 500 homes and businesses in Maidstone were hit by a power cut this afternoon.

The lights went out in properties in the town centre just before 4pm due to a fault with an underground electricity cable on the high voltage network.

Roads affected include Buckland Hill, St Peters Street and Lesley Place.

It is believed the traffic lights in those areas were not working.

Others reported chaotic traffic scenes around Maidstone East station, which is nearby.

UK Power Networks confirmed 508 properties were affected.

A message on UK Power Networks website said: "Our engineers are working hard to fix it as quickly as possible. We are sorry for any trouble this may have caused you."

A spokesman later confirmed power was restored to 405 properties by 4.37pm and the final 103 by 5.30pm.