Controversial hoardings costing over £20,000 have been put up around a former cinema site in Tunbridge Wells.

The former ABC cinema site in Tunbridge Wells is surrounded by 150m of hoardings which have now been covered in professional images of different parts of the town.

When plans were announced by the council following the demolition of the building in October they were slammed for being "a waste of public money".

At the time lib dem councillor for the St James ward, Ben Chapelard said the proposal was a complete waste of money and the liberal democrats in Tunbridge Wells were looking for a way to force a review of the decision.

Council leader David Jukes said the new, improved hoardings would be a "great enhancement" to the town.

Despite strong public opposition large scale images have now been pasted on the hoardings showing landmarks including the ice rink, the pantiles and restaurants.

On its website Tunbridge Wells Borough Council posted a notice that reads: "Work starts to refurbish the blue hoardings around the site of the former cinema in Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre.

"The hoardings will show a range of images illustrating what an attractive and diverse town and borough we enjoy with residents and visitors."

They images portray attractions including Bedgebury Pinetum, Scotney Castle and Union Mill in Cranbrook.

Explaining the choice of pictures on the hoardings cabinet member Councillor Jane March said: "We had some difficult choices to make and I know everyone will have their own view about what images should be there. We chose pictures we already held or which were donated, so no expenditure was involved and they depict some beautiful and unusual views of the borough."

Mr Jukes explained more about the costs involved with the project, he said: "The decoration of the hoardings is costing approximately £21,000, and based on a population of 115,000 that is 19p per person.

"We do not know how long the hoardings are going to be needed there, assuming they are there for up to five years the cost is 4p per person. This is a very small price to pay for enhancing one of the major sites in the town and very effectively advertising the town and the borough."

Demolition of the buildings on the site was completed in October following legal action taken by the council in serving a section 215 notice on the owners requiring demolition and leaving the site in a safe and tidy state.

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