One of Europe's largest flood barriers has been taken out of service for the first time in 21 years for repairs.

The Environment Agency has diverted the River Medway in Kent to carry out the six-week refit of the Leigh Flood Barrier.

The barrier saved hundreds of homes from flooding during October 2000, when flows down the Medway were 13 times the average - equal to 1,000 bathsful of water passing every second.

Flood defence team leader Richard Francis said the work was part of a larger project to update the operating equipment of the Leigh Barrier.

Floods devastated parts of southern England

He said: "All this week contractors will be on site to carry out the delicate operation to carefully remove the gearbox and lifting screw that opens and closes the huge 12-ton northern gate.

"A 24-ton crane will be on hand to winch out the equipment inch by inch."

Mr Francis said the equipment would be inspected to see how much wear and tear it has suffered in two decades.

The barrier was built in 1981 in response to devasting floods in 1968.

It protects downstream towns and villages such as Tonbridge, Hadlow and East Peckham.

Agency fisheries staff were on hand to rescue any fish trapped when the river was dammed off.