A placard-waving pensioner is taking to the streets to protest plans to build 36 flats in two five-storey blocks.

Alan Ellis, 81, has spent the last week taking his one-man campaign around Walderslade to make his concerns known and urge his neighbour to object to the proposal.

The developer wants to build 18 apartments on a plot once occupied by a single house in Walderslade Road. And he has plans for a further 18 homes if an application to demolish a neighbouring bungalow gets the go-ahead.

Alan said he felt the needs to make the neighbourhood aware of what's planned.

The retired company director has handed out about 200 leaflets to passers-by and drivers stopping at the junction with Princes Avenue and said none of them were aware of the housing development near the shopping precinct at Walderslade Village.

He said:"I'm fully aware of the need for more housing in Medway, but this is totally inappropriate.

"The land has been empty for three years and it is an eyesore,so something needs to be done.

"Half a dozen lovely homes in a crescent would be acceptable.

"We could also be looking at more than 50 extra cars with little parking."

Alan and his wife Trish, 79, who have lived in the area for nearly 30 years, have held a residents' meeting at their home in Rush Close. He is also starting a petition which he hopes to present to a Medway Council's planning committee this month.

He said: "I have stood out in the rain and I paid out £50 for the leaflets. I want people to know how strongly I feel and encourage everyone to fight this."

His protest continues to gather momentum with scores of people going on social media to support him and register formal objections with the authority.

Most are complaining the scheme would compound existing congestion and parking problems in the area.

Others felt that nearby doctors surgeries would not be able to cope with an influx of extra people. And one complained of a possible lack of privacy saying the proposed roof garden would overlook her back bedroom.

Alan posted on social media: "Many residents driving to and from work may have seen this silly old fellow holding up a placard.

"Well I hope you will be pleased to know I am not silly but just shocked.

"If you care about our village with its present busy roads, doctor's surgery and pharmacies, then object to the planning department."

In a letter to the council he wrote: "Nobody wants to stop enterprise, but it must be the right fix for our village.

"A crescent of good houses with parking would be ideal."