Neighbours have reported their "distress" after the confederate flag was flown outside a home in Charing.

One angry resident tweeted Kent Police to report the flying of the flag, which is controversial due to its association with racism, slavery and white supremacy.

The villager called for the police to remove the offending item, citing a public order offence.

The flag, originally associated with the Confederate States of the United States, has become embroiled in argument after becoming associated with such groups as the Ku Klux Klan.

Many states in the US banned the display of confederate flags after Dylann Roof massacred nine black members of a church in South Carolina, and was seen displaying the symbol of division in 2015.

But it is not illegal to fly the flag in Britain, and the flag is also associated American culture in southern states.

A police spokesman has confirmed that a report had been received after a person dialled 101 to report the flag.

The spokesman said: "Details of the call were recorded, but no offences were reported."