People are being urged to visit Ashford's After Life bench as the seat "will be removed at some point".

It was donated to Victoria Park by Netflix to celebrate the release of the third season of Ricky Gervais' acclaimed series.

It was initially thought the bench would be a permanent feature in the 17-acre site but Ashford Borough Council (ABC) says it was only ever meant to be a temporary project through January, and it will soon be moved.

The authority is yet to decide what will happen to the bench in the long term but it won't remain in its current position permanently.

Yesterday, KentOnline reported on how the seat – which was only installed close to the Hubert Fountain two weeks' ago – has been targeted by vandals who have taken the commemorative plaque screwed to the middle.

It read: "This bench is donated by Netflix to commemorate Ricky Gervais' 'After Life'.”

A separate plaque with a unique QR code where people can access crisis resources from suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) remains in place.

The council is appealing for the return of the plaque while urging everyone to pay it a visit before it is too late.

“Many people have visited Victoria Park and sat on the bench," it said.

"Some have also shared their mental health stories too, which is why it means so much to us and we’d like it returned to the community.

“The bench is a temporary project by Netflix, aimed to last throughout January in line with the release of the After Life show.

"We are now in February but would really like to keep the bench there as long as possible given the positive public reaction to the messages of hope.

“It will be removed at some point, so anyone who hasn’t been down to Victoria Park yet, please go and visit the bench.”

Kent MP Tracey Crouch, who represents Chatham and Aylesford, a former Minister for Loneliness in Theresa May's government, echoed the call for the plaque's return.

She tweeted: "Such a shame. Friendship benches were such a brilliant case study for the Loneliness Strategy & @rickygervais brilliantly portrayed why in #AfterLife.

"I hope whoever has done this pauses to reflect & returns it asap. Its value is more than its worth #BeKind."

Netflix donated 25 benches to councils across the country, with the aim of providing a place for people to sit, reflect and share.

Benches feature prominently in the much-loved programme, the third series of which was released last month.

Bath, Birmingham, Glasgow and Liverpool have also received one of the seats which have been commissioned alongside CALM.

Each has been inscribed with a quote from After Life – 'Hope is Everything'.