Around 3,000 people have had water troubles for the last two days, with one resident unable to wash or flush his toilet for more than 24 hours.

Homes across Tunbridge Wells have have been without access to mainline water since around 12.30pm yesterday.

South East Water (SEW) said the issue is due to a surge of burst water pipes caused by the freezing weather.

The company has set up a bottled water station at the Tesco Superstore at Woodgate Corner, in Pembury, but it closed today at 6pm.

The firm has also brought in tankers to push more water into the system while also re-routing around the faults where possible.

But even with these measures, some - like Ian White of Shrublands Court - have been without water since it was cut off yesterday.

Zuzi Ledger, Ian's daughter, said: "This is the 8th time dad has been without water over the past several weeks.

"Across that time he has been without water for more than 57 hours but this has been the longest time he has been without water so far."

Ian has been unable to make a cup of tea, wash himself or even flush his toilet since the water turned off, with the 80-year-old unable to get to the bottle station.

Zuzi continued: "They keep telling me they'll provide him with water but they never do.

"I have asked my brother to get him some bottles but he won't get those until he finishes work.

"It's ridiculous, it's a human right and if it were any other thing they'd be held accountable but they're able to get away with it."

'This is the 8th time dad has been without water over the past several weeks'

The retired chemical engineer has complained on multiple occasions to the water company.

Zuzi said: "He's getting really fed up with it and has written four letters of complaint but receives standard customer replies saying sorry in return.

"He was a chemical engineer in the past in chemical plants and he said people would lose jobs over this or wouldn't be allowed to continue with faulty equipment."

Zuzi was told that some of the affected pipes have been around since the Victorian era.

South East Water have issued an apology to those affected by the burst mains and have 24-hour maintenance crews on stand by prioritising the larger bursts.

Head of central operations, Steve Andrews, said: “Our operational teams are continuing to work around the clock to restore normal water supplies to customers in the Tunbridge Wells area.

“Repairing leaks and bursts is always amongst our top priorities but freezing weather adds significant complications as we cannot predict which pipes may burst.

“While we have invested in state-of-the-art leakage detection technology we’re also asking the community to keep their eyes peeled and report any leak or burst to us via our interactive map.

“Residents and businesses should also check their homes, unoccupied properties, outside taps and cattle troughs today, and throughout the weekend, for leaks that can cause extensive and costly damage if not found quickly.”