TORRENTIAL rain caused flash flooding and transport trouble in parts of Kent on Tuesday.

Sandbags were at the ready in areas surrounding Whitstable and Folkestone as storms hit overnight and heavy rain persisted throughout the day.

Kent Fire and Rescue received dozens of calls from people concerned about their homes after drains failed to cope with the downpours.

In Whitstable, Regent Street was particularly badly affected with water knee-deep in places.

There were also localised flash floods in Hythe, Hawkinge, Etchinghill and Folkestone.

Rail services between Ramsgate and Dover were severely disrupted after lightning damaged signalling equipment in the Folkestone area.

The operation between Ramsgate and Charing Cross was affected and trains diverted via Canterbury West.

Nigel Jarrett, from Southeastern Trains, told Kent Online: "We had a lightning strike in the Folkestone/Dover area which snarled up signals and points and at one stage there were no trains running between Ramsgate, Dover and Folkestone."

* See your local KM Group newspaper this week for a full report and pictures from your area.* Do you have any good storm pictures? Email them to editor.kentonline@thekmgroup.co.uk