Brexit no-deal planning meant a council destroyed 17,000 of Britain's rarest orchids in one day - and it will take up to eight years for them to grow back.

Volunteers from Kent Wildlife Trust had been lovingly tending the purple carpet of rare bee and common orchids for over 15 years. A spokesperson said they were "devastated" by the news.

As well as 9,000 Pyramidal Orchids and nearly 8,000 Common Spotted Orchids, it was also home to Bee Orchids, and the extremely rare Man Orchid.

Not only did they attract and sustain a thriving population of bees, but 20 different butterfly species were sustained by the verge.

Now, all that remains of the verge is a lump of mud after Kent County Council ordered it to be bulldozed to make way for a drainage ditch due to Operation Brock, intended to tackle queues coming to and from Dover in the case of a No Deal Brexit.

The plan includes resurfacing and strengthening roads in anticipation of increased use.

Operation Brock has now been deactivated due to the Brexit delay.