A hymn written in praise of the Cinque Ports by the former mayor of Sandwich has been described as batty and bonkers.

The song, called the Cinque Ports Hymn, was officially adopted by the Confederation of Cinque Ports in March after being proposed by the Lord Warden the Admiral Lord Boyce.

Despite being sung at civic services in Cinque Port towns like Sandwich, Brightlingsea and Ramsgate, councillors and clergy at Faversham have said they don’t like it and did not want it sung at their civic service on Sunday.

Cllr Cindy Davis, of Faversham Town Council, said: "I think they are batty words. It is bonkers. Who would want to sing this?"

Former mayor Terry Clifford-Amos is the author of the poem.

He said: "These are the first negative comments I’ve picked up.

"Everyone else I’ve spoken to is happy with it.

"The hymn was composed for Speakers’ Day with nothing being envisaged beyond that."

The hymn was sung in Sandwich during the Speaker’s Day service in October, and the Admiral Lord Boyce proposed it be adopted by the confederation.

It was resolved at a meeting in March. Mr Clifford-Amos said: "The voting looked unanimous.

"It wasn’t my proposal. It wasn’t my pushiness. I didn’t do anything other than write the hymn."

Another Faversham councillor, David Simmons, is also not a fan.

He said: "I am completely mystified by this. When this hymn was presented to the confederation in Sandwich perhaps people felt they couldn’t say that it was not very good.

"It seemed to receive such glowing support."