A CONTROVERSIAL £1.4million internet TV service launched by Kent County Council has attracted close to 60,000 visits since its launch.

In the first six weeks of Kent TV, there have been 59,453 visits to the site and 198,604 page views with people viewing several pages over an average of five minutes.

While most viewers have come from Kent, the channel has also had hits from abroad, including Europe, China, Australia and America.

Kent County Council's Conservative administration and Ten Alps, the company contracted to run Kent TV, both said they were was pleased by the early results.

KCC Conservative leader Paul Carter said: "It’s early days and of course there was a lot of interest and press coverage around the launch but the viewing figures are very encouraging.

"We are delighted so many people are using Kent TV to access news, information and features about Kent."

The project has been dubbed "Cartervision" by critics who have questioned the expense of setting up Kent TV at a time when other key services are coming under financial pressure.

Opposition Labour leader Cllr Mike Eddy said the jury was still out on Kent TV.

"I have considerable reservations. In the first month, you would expect there to be a flurry of interest," he said.

"What is interesting is that it equates to around 40,000 for the first month and the target is about 50,000. From that point, it has underperformed. It may be the figures will build up but the jury is still out."

KCC says Kent TV will cost £1.4million over a two-year period but expects the service to become self-financing.