ANGRY residents and drivers say the council is putting lives at risk by failing to patch up lethal potholes for several weeks.

Outrage was sparked by a monstrous pothole on Little Clacton Road, Great Holland, which measured several feet across.

It was left for more than a month before being repaired by Essex County Council last week.

Claire Shandley, who lives right in front of the once-dangerous crater said: “We are pleased it has finally been filled in.

“But it was there for a long time. It was reported more than a month ago and was there for much longer.

“There is no pavement here, and the pothole is right by a layby that I have to step into with my young daughter when we want to leave the house and walk up the road.

“Because of the size of the pothole, cars were swerving into the layby, so it was incredibly dangerous for us.

“The roads in general around this area are in a very poor state.

“It seems like we are forgotten because we are at the edge of the county. This may be a village but Little Clacton is a main road linking Clacton and Frinton.

“It needs to be taken better care of or someone will be badly hurt.”

Several drivers suffered damage to their cars after driving over the pothole before it was fixed.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: "We would like to apologise for any delay. The maintenance of the county's road network continues to be one of our top priorities.

“This particular road was inspected and accessed as soon as it was brought to our attention. It was then scheduled for repair and that work was carried out last week.”