Drinking water supplies have been restored to about 7,400 properties in Kent which have been experiencing no water or low pressure, South East Water (SEW) has said.

More than 8,000 customers were affected by the latest supply disruptions, which SEW said was a result of prolonged hot weather, high demand, pipe bursts, and power issues.

The company said supplies had been restored to properties in Herne Bay, Rough Common and Blean, but urged all customers to use water for "essential" purposes only.

About 400 properties in Benenden, Cranbrook and Rolvenden are continuing to experience low pressure or no water and properties in Herne Bay might experience "intermittent supplies" later, SEW added.

Mike Court, South East Water incident manager, said water levels in the storage tank that supplies Benenden, Cranbrook and Rolvenden remained "critically low".

He urged "all customers to continue using water for essential uses only today".

Residents had been told it could be a couple of days before their water supplies were restored, with some having experienced days of disruption.

A bottled water station has reopened in Cranbrook, which has been the worst affected area alongside Benenden.