The historic town of Deal has changed its name for the day as part of a controversial sponsorship deal.

The town's Chamber of Trade teamed up with an online voucher firm and agreed to temporarily rename itself as part of a PR stunt.

But the move has not been universally welcomed, with one trader describing it as 'cheap and nasty.'

The promotion saw signs for 'Voucherbox Castle' displayed throughout the town and signage at the railway station replaced.

Voucherbox claims to help small traders complete against online giants through its website deals, but the vast majority of the companies who signed up are large chains including Costa, Starbucks, M&S and Iceland.

The move came under scrutiny in the national press, with the Telegraph reporting many independent traders were unaware of it.

It quoted one unnamed trader as saying: "“It’s a small town, we all talk, but I don’t know anything about it. It sounds a bit cheap and nasty.”

But Peter Davies, secretary of Deal Chamber of Trade, said: “Our town is over 900 years old but we are never afraid to innovate and this is a fantastic opportunity for Deal to put itself on the map nationally and internationally.

Others were quick to join the debate on social media.