FAMILES awoke to find a hole lot of trouble on their doorsteps.

For overnight, thieves had swiped drain covers from several roads around Northfleet.

It is believed the cast iron covers were stolen for sale on the black market where they fetch around £10 a time - but can cost hundreds to replace.

At least three streets from Pepper Hill estate were targeted overnight on Monday, August 4.

Eight manhole covers went missing from Fleet Road, St Botolph Road and Viking Road.

Full story, see this week's Gravesend Messenger