It is home to architectural gems including the Archbishop’s Palace, All Saints’ Church and Ye Olde Thirsty Pig.

It is the proud host of the annual Mela festival and Kent County Show.

But apparently if you are from Maidstone you would not know another inhabitant of the county town if they were staring you in the face.

Just 53 per cent of people think the town has a unique identity according to market research group Local Opinion.

It was shamed by Tunbridge Wells residents who are so proud of where they live 100 per cent said it had its own identity.

Of the people polled there 59 per cent think the town has a traditional and historic character and 39 per cent think it's both wealthy and prosperous.

Canterbury came a close second, despite being the home of Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey.

Local Opinion research executive Julie Thompson said: "The residents of Tunbridge Wells seem the most secure in their belief that their town has a distinct identity and appear to want it to stay true to its roots as a historic location."

Even Medway and Ashford snuck in above Maidstone leaving the county town languishing at a depressing fifth place out of all the towns surveyed.

The sample size for this survey was 632 Kent residents across the five towns.

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