An elderly couple claim they are being forced out of their home because of noise and disruption from an industrial roofing firm.

Penny and James Cockburn, 72 and 68, of Shelvin Farm Road, bought their bungalow in 2002 next to the Dover Trussed Roof Company.

Mrs Cockburn thinks that its workload has increased and the continual vibration of machinery is causing damage to their home.

She said: “Our property is starting to crack, it is being totally destroyed. We thought we were going to stay here until we died.”

General manager at Dover Trussed Roof Company Chris Shelton said they have tried to reduce the noise impact but Mrs Cockburn said that lorries “thunder” up and down the country lane, despite a sign saying the road is unsuitable for HGVs.

She said the noise is so loud she can’t go in her garden.

Sandbags have also been placed up against her fence because water streams down into the garden, she claimed.

Desperate to move out, the couple have called for the company or the council to buy it so they can relocate.

Mrs Cockburn said an estate agent from We Buy Any House refused its purchase because it was not fit for purpose.

“There are cracks in the walls and we don’t feel it is safe to live in.”

Mrs Cockburn said they’ve spent thousands of pounds trying to maintain it.

Mr Shelton added: “We have done various works here to reduce the noise impact.

“If a lorry uses the road then all the properties would have that problem, but we haven’t had any issues with them.”

A DDC spokesman said:“We are aware of this matter and have responded to the persons concerned.

“To date, there are no grounds for enforcement action. The company is a long-established business that was given planning permission to be at this location in 1975.

"We continue to monitor the situation.”