The reason why white markings have been painted in a Kent high street has been revealed after their appearance raised eyebrows.

Questions were asked on social media about the lines scrawled on the ground in St George's Street, Canterbury.

And now, the city council has confirmed they are connected to a controversial £1.2 million redevelopment of the area.

The authority has started conducting initial survey work to establish the position of all of the existing buried cables and pipes, via a ground radar survey.

The work marks the start of the divisive development, which will see the street turned into a leafy boulevard.

It is hoped the project will boost the attractiveness of the area between Superdrug and Metro Bank - but critics believe it will leave the street feeling “empty and sterile".

Council spokesman Rob Davies said: "The markings on the pavement note the position of things like underground cables.

"We do this using a temporary marking paint, which will wear off over a short period of time."

The removal of five existing trees is scheduled for the start of next year, when the main construction work begins.

They are to be replaced by a new avenue of trees as part of the boulevard-style revamp, which will see new seating and lighting installed.