A new pipeline is to be laid in Marden to ensure the village has a safe supply of drinking water in the future.

The £400,000 investment by South East Water will see a new pipeline laid along Milebush Lane, Battle Lane, Goudhurst Road and Thorn Road - a distance of about one kilometre.

The company said the measure would improve water pressure in the area.

Work starts on Tuesday, April 13, and is expected take 18 weeks.

Projects manager Matthew Cooper said: "This new water main will improve the water pressure for residents in the village and follows a series of investigations undertaken last summer which looked into how best to improve the area’s water network resilience.

"We will be carrying out this work in phases in order to minimise disruption and to maintain the safety of road users, the public and our workforce.

"We are starting in Milebush Lane and will be working under a road closure with two-way traffic lights until May 15.

"Further work is planned in Goudhurst Road, Battle Lane and Thorn Road, but we will update residents and our website with more information on these phases nearer the time.

"We know road closures are disruptive and I’d like to thank the residents of Marden in advance for their patience while we carry out this essential work."

Diversion routes will be clearly signposted for the duration of the scheme with access to properties maintained.

Updates on the project can be found on the company’s dedicated web page.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone

Read more: All the latest news from Weald