SHOPKEEPER Steve Graham has made a light-hearted protest about flooding by placing rubber ducks in a puddle outside his store.

The owner of Sundae Sundae in Harbour Street, Whitstable, is being driven quackers by drainage problems which cause puddles during downpours.

The ice cream parlour owner was so fed up with the road overflowing he put rubber ducks in the water and put up a flood warning sign.

He also hung a rubber ring nearby in case anyone fell in.

"It was just a bit of fun really," said Mr Graham, 54, of Terry's Lane.

"It caused such a stir with the tourists. We even sold some ducks of the back of it."

However the road flooding has been affecting his business.

"We've had this ongoing thing outside my shop for 18 months now," he said.

"It really does cause us problems.

"When it rains hard it totally affects my shop. Cars drive through the puddle and the water all floods in and makes the floor dirty.

"Sometimes I just have to close for the day."

He added: "The worst time was when this little old lady got soaked when a bus drove past.

"I had to sit her down and give her a cup of tea to calm her down. She was so upset."

Mr Graham believes problems started after the road was resurfaced in Tarmac last March.

"The water used to flow down into the drain," he said.

"I told them not to lay big concrete slabs down but they didn't listen.

"They dug them up and laid the Tarmac down as a quick solution but the water doesn't run to the drain.

"I've been on to MP Julian Brazier and the council about it but I've just been sent in circles."

Kent Highways spokesman Phil Scrivener said: "We have just had a full survey carried out and will be considering different options.

"It is unlikely anything major will happen until next year as this would involve significant disruption to Whitstable.

"We will be contacting Mr Graham to keep him informed."