A shocking 935% rise in charges to stage the Deal Braderie has outraged the organisers of the popular summer event.

The Deal Town Council's antiques, collectables and bric-a-brac street fair on September 18 will still go ahead, but the district council has been asked to rethink its charges.

Former Deal Mayor Cllr Ben Bano said the town council's finance committee considered the increases in fees to be "unfair and unjust".

He added that the committee - he is the chairman - asked him to protest in the strongest possible terms.

Cllr Bano said: "We learned that because of decisions taken by the district council's licensing committee last year the fees to hold the Braderie this year would jump by 935%.

"The Braderie brings in thousands of visitors each year to Deal and is a major economic boost, but the losers are Deal's council tax payers."

* To find out more, as well as read comments from the district council, buy the East Kent Mercury, August 25.

* Ring 01304 361999 to book a pitch for the antique, collectables and bric-a-brac street fair.