Thousands of people have been left without running water after two mains burst.

South East Water has confirmed that people living in Greenhill, Hampton and Eddington near Herne Bay have had their taps run dry or experienced low pressure this morning.

The first leak was reported at 4.30pm yesterday in Carlton Hill, with workmen from the company sent out in the afternoon.

But South East Water says due to the "size and complexity" of the repair, it has taken longer than expected to fix.

Regional network manager Andy Beston said: "The burst has been found and is on a section of a 16-inch-diameter pipe, which has been isolated.

“At 6.30am today a second burst happened on a four-inch-diameter pipe in Blean View Road.

“Our technicians are on site at both locations and repairs will be carried out as quickly as possible.”

One resident told KentOnline her water supply ran dry before being reconnected later that afternoon, "albeit with low pressure and brown particulates trickling out of the taps for the evening".

But she woke up this morning to find it had dropped out again.

Mr Beston added: "We are very sorry to customers in parts of Herne Bay who have their water supplies interrupted or who have lower than normal pressure.

“We have re-routed water around the system to keep supplies to as many customers as we can while we carry out the repairs needed.

“We have also been in touch with our customers with additional needs who have signed up to our priority services register to offer any support they need."

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay