Residents evacuated from their homes following 'extensive cliff collapse' which has left house hanging over the edge

Twenty homes were forced to evacuate overnight after a cliff collapsed onto the beach below.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service arrived to a "significant cliff collapse" at Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey just before 10pm on Friday.

Residents of Surf Crescent said they heard “groaning” before a “great big lump” of the road disappeared from sight.

According to a local resident, the authorities were first warned in 2015 that action was needed to prevent further coastal erosion.

"This should have been dealt with a long time ago," Malcolm Newell said. "It's not right to have people's home, their livelihoods, falling into the sea."

Mr Newell added that a family with four children were among those forced to flee.

"It was scary [for them], to have to get out of the house and not take anything with you. They couldn't even get shoes or socks for the kids."

A fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters arrived at the scene to find a large section of the cliff edge had fallen away, leaving a number of properties at potential risk.

"Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area due to the direct danger of further cliff collapse."

Kent Police, HM Coastguard, Swale Borough Council, Medway Council and Southern Water officials also attended the scene and parts of the beach and footpaths nearby have been cordoned off.

There were no injuries and those evacuated from their homes were given shelter at New Road Residents Community Centre.

Swale Borough Council has since returned most of the residents to their homes.