County council leader Paul Carter used his speech at a school prizegiving evening to take a friendly 'pop' at Jeremy Clarkson.

Top Gear host Clarkson has been critical of of Ashford's shared space traffic scheme, warning about pedestrians being killed in a 'dance of death'.

Cllr Carter took to the podium at Norton Knatchbull school’s prizegiving evening last Friday not only to praise pupils’ achievements, but also to seize the opportunity to hit back at Clarkson's comments, which were made in his column in The Sun newspaper.

He read aloud from the article, much to the amusement of the boys, many of whom are familiar with the outspoken presenter.

In his article, Mr Clarkson had warned of a “dance of death” people face when using the shared apace scheme, which is the re-worked area which includes Elwick Road, Bank Street, West Street and Forge Lane, where barriers and signals have been removed and traffic and pedestrians share the same space.

Listen to Cllr Carter talking about Jeremy Clarkson and shared space >>>

Explaining his speech at the Ashford boys’ grammar school, Cllr Carter said: “I was talking up the ring road and saying what a brave and bold scheme it is, which is looking really good.

“The operational part will come when we’ve built the other roads, which are part of the whole concept.”

Cllr Carter and Mr Clarkson may have opposing opinions when it comes to the shared space scheme, but they are both car lovers.

“I’m a self-confessed petrol head and race cars as a hobby at weekends all round Europe,” the Tory council leader said.

Cllr Carter, who in a comment in last week’s Kentish Express invited Mr Clarkson to visit Ashford, also has another idea for his fellow motoring fan.

“I’ve got a very cunning plan that I want to talk to him about.”

For more on shared space, including readers' response to Clarkson comments, see the Kentish Express, on sale Thursday