A display put up to celebrate a scarecrow festival has been called “disgusting” for featuring a model of a human figure hanging by the neck.

Put up as a part of the Talk of Tankerton Scarecrow festival in Whitstable, the decoration faced calls from upset residents to be taken down before it was relocated.

Debbie Baxter, who lives in Whitstable, said: “I went into Tankerton high street and saw some nice Halloween decorations; this, however, is not one of them.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate in these times when so many people are suffering with their mental health and this is happening on our doorstep way too regularly.

“I think it’s disgusting and so inappropriate in this day and age.

“If it were a ghost or a bat or even a proper scarecrow it might be OK but it looks too human and it’s very upsetting.”

Ms Baxter pleaded with whoever put the effigy up to remove it.

The decoration was hung in the entryway of an empty shopfront at 115 Tankerton Road, formerly occupied by home and furniture shop The Painted Pearl.

Unlike other entries to the scarecrow festival, which have been sat on chairs or attached to fences, the offending decoration was hung by the neck.

It also differs in its clothing, as while others are dressed in witches’ hats or Hawaiian shirts, the hanging model is wearing jogging bottoms and a plain long-sleeved shirt.

This led some observers to briefly believe that they were seeing a human being hanging in the window.

One social media user, who agreed the figure should be removed, said: “It’s very distasteful, it is a lovely scarecrow but shouldn’t be placed like that.

“Please, please take it down. As a family we have had to deal with this tragic outcome and find it very very upsetting.

“These scarecrows are for children and adults to enjoy, not upset.”

Another online poster added: “This isn’t appropriate regardless if you are struggling with your mental health or not.

“I know too many people who have taken their lives in this way and it shouldn’t be glorified as a decoration.”

The Talk of Tankerton Scarecrow festival started on Tuesday, October 24, and runs until October 31.

A spokesperson for Talk of Tankerton said: “The scarecrow trail is a free family event with scarecrows made by local community groups, schools and businesses.

“Some scarecrows are scarier than others and we can only apologise that this scarecrow caused offence by the way it was secured.

“It has now been moved and we hope that the event will continue to be enjoyed.”