BUSES and trains were cancelled and ambulances stuck during the heavy snowfall across the district last week.

People living in Sevenoaks and the surrounding villages found themselves isolated due to poor road conditions and transport links.

Mark Sargeant, who moved into his house in St Johns Road, Sevenoaks, on Monday, desperately appealed for help after his removal van got stuck just metres from his home.

He said: "It is very frustrating – the removal man actually came and knocked on our door to tell us he couldn't get up the road.

"All we had were the clothes on our back. Everything we own was in that van and now it is in some holding department in Maidstone.

"We have an eight-month-old baby, Ivy, and all her things are in the van so we have been trying desperately to get hold of someone with a 4x4 who could clear the road."

An abandoned ambulance was reported in Danes Road, Otford, sparking complaints that plans should have been in place to deal with snow.

Twitton Meadow householder Debbie Beckett said: "There are three people on our estate who need dialysis and can't get up the road to the van.

"One of the ladies is elderly and an ambulance usually picks her up very day.

"I think it is disgusting they didn't put a plan into place beforehand to deal with people like her because they already know where the people live who need help."

Medical supplies and ambulances were almost impossible to reach. Community responder for Sevenoaks Stan Willis had to stay behind from work to look after his partner, diagnosed with cancer four weeks ago.

"We normally have a Hospice in the Weald nurse who comes up daily with medication but she hasn't been for four days.

"It is very worrying for us. And it means I can't get out to work to help others."

He and others in Otford were desperately appealing for someone with a 4x4 to help clear the roads for help to arrive.

Those living in Kemsing were also hit hard by snowfall, although the village pulled together to ensure residents at Dynes Nursing Home were well looked after.

"It is not a normal job working at a care home – it is not like a clothes shop where you can just close up," said home administrator Jane Debenham.

"All our nurses have done everything they can to come into work – some even walking from Sevenoaks town to Kemsing.

"We have also had people in from the village volunteering their help."

South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) spokesman Liz Spiers said: "Due to the continued severe weather, we are focusing our efforts on getting to those patients who need help the most.

"While the number of calls is not significantly increasing, the trust is struggling to get to emergencies quickly.

"SECAmb ask people to bear with us as it may take a little longer than normal to reach people in areas where snow is particularly heavy or roads are icy."

Arriva Buses cancelled services on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.