There is a pothole for every mile of road in Great Britain, new research has found.
Breakdown service Britannia Rescue found through a Freedom of Information request that there are more than 200,000 potholes on UK roads which cover a total area of 295 square miles -- more than twice the area of the Isle of Wight.
The data also shows that there has been a 79 per cent rise in compensation claims in the past financial year from motorists claiming as a result of pothole damage.
Local authorities have forked out more than £2.5 million in compensation to motorists who have had their cars damaged by potholes. The most common types of damage include tyre damage, damaged suspension and damaged wheel rims.
Almost one in 10 motorists have suffered damage as a result of poorly maintained roads, the company claims.
Peter Horton, Britannia Rescue managing director, said: "Britain's pothole epidemic has resulted from years of underinvestment in our roads and has been exacerbated by recent harsh winters.
"Motorists should protect themselves and their vehicles by reducing their speed on potholed roads, and also reporting damaged roads to their local council."
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