Offended residents have described two giant reindeer sculptures “showing their rear ends” to passers-by at a war memorial as an “insult”.

The sparkly festive structures have been put up in Biggin Street, Dover, around the monument which “honours all” from the town who have died during conflicts.

One local, Nick Doel, told KentOnline: “I don’t like their positioning. I would have thought the heads should have been facing the public, not the rear ends

“It’s a little bit of an insult, I think. God knows why they put them like that.”

Mr Doel says the reindeer were placed in that position last week.

He doesn’t mind them being on the memorial because it will only be for the festive period.

Another man in Dover called Paul, who would only give his first name, told KentOnline: “They’re beautiful reindeer but they’re facing the wrong way.

“I think it’s a bit of an insult to the people of Dover.

“It’s showing the back ends of reindeer. Why didn’t they have it so their heads are at the front so they can see it and they’re looking at the people of Dover?

“It’s an ideal spot for them but they’ve turned them the wrong way round. Whoever made that decision didn’t think about that.”

But not everyone has taken umbrage with the festive installations.

Passer-by Anna Williams said: “It doesn’t bother me. It does make it look more Christmassy - better than what we normally have.”

Dovorian Alice Ferry said of the positioning of the deer: “That hadn’t crossed my mind. I think they’re pretty.”

When asked about their placing on the war memorial she said: “I don’t know where else you could put them because they’re huge. So maybe the Market Square might have been better.”

Christine Walton, secretary of the Dover White Cliffs branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “We are very happy with the deer and feel it is very fitting that they are looking at the memorial very respectful to our lost heroes.”

The sculptures are in front of the Dover Town Council offices. KentOnline has contacted the authority for comment.

Attempts are also being made to confirm who the artist is.

Dover is not the only town in Kent where residents feel like they’ve had a bit of a bum deal when it comes to festive features.

Along the coast in Deal, people said the Christmas tree put up by the district council was the worst in the county.

It has since been replaced with a much larger version.