Councillors have described their disappointment after a former high street of the year was scrawled with an "amateurish" paint job telling people not to cycle in the area.

The unmissable white lettering on Deal High Street was painted on the ground last week in four places between South Street and Park Street.

Critics took to social media to blast the “horrendous”markings on the road, which was named high street of the year by the Daily Telegraph in 2014.

They also questioned how it fits in with the town’s new Cycle Friendly Deal scheme.

Dover District Council denied it was responsible for the work and Kent County councillors Derek Murphy and Trevor Bond held up their hands.

Following a consultation with Deal Town Council, it was agreed that better no cycling signs were needed in the precinct.

But the county representatives, who used some of their Kent County Council funds to pay for it, are disappointed with the result.

Cllr Murphy said: “KCC are under no illusion about the disappointment we feel.

“On the majority of the individual letters, the paint has over run the outline of the letter, making the characters look ragged.

“Both myself and Cllr Trevor Bond think they are amateurish and unprofessional, not the standard we would expect in a former High Street of the Year..." -

“Additionally, on certain letters there are dobs of paint leaving an uneven surface and unsightly appearance.

“The moment I saw them I got on to KCC staff who’ve said they will send somebody down this week to look at them.

“Both myself and Cllr Trevor Bond think they are amateurish and unprofessional, not the standard we would expect in a former High Street of the Year.

“They will be removed and repainted.”

Cllr Bond said: “Incidents have occurred and also the PCSO has had issues with cyclists in the High Street.

“The old signs in place were not effective and therefore to support the PCSO and to protect shoppers from cyclists the lettering was installed.”

Cllr Murphy added: “It was a necessary thing. It’s a reminder to people to be careful and its gives the PCSOs extra authority.

“We’re doing everything we can to support Deal with it’s new Cycle Friendly Deal initiative.”