Hundreds of homes have been left without water after a water main burst.

Residents in the ME7/ME8 areas of Medway around Hempstead have been without water since the early hours of this morning (Friday) (Oct7).

KareBear Kennels said: "Apparently there is a sinkhole near Capstone and its caused a major water leak.

"People are on their way to fix it. When they get there, they will be shutting the road from the Harrow pub down to Capstone."

They added that they were also without water.

There had been a planned water shut-down in the area by Southern Water yesterday from 10am to 1pm for "essential maintenance" to the network. It now reports that a 12-inch water main has burst.

A Southern Water spokesman said: "We’re sorry to customers in Medway who are currently without water. This is due to a burst water main in Lidsing Road. Our engineers are working to get taps flowing again as soon as possible."

It confirmed properties in the ME7, M8, ME9 and ME14 areas are affected and bottled water was now being delivered to vulnerable customers.

Updates are being issued on the company's website and through social media.

Among the properties affected was the Harrow Inn in Lidsing Road.

Landlady Clair Ansell said: "The burst pipe is about 300 yards from us. We were woken at 6am by flashing lights on our bedroom curtains and noises outside.

"It seems a hole opened up and filled with water overnight. Men have been out there digging and closed the road."

She added: "Luckily, as we are a pub we had plenty of bottled water so we could fill the kettle and have an early morning cup of coffee.

"There is no water coming out of our taps so we won't be able to open until the water is back on and we can run our toilets and prepare food in the kitchen.

"We aren't due to open until noon so hopefully it will be back on by then, or shortly after."

The lack of water has also temporarily closed The Bell pub in nearby Bredhurst.

A post on its Facebook page says it is "closed until further notice" because of the burst main.