A town councillor says Dover needs to raise its game to get more tourists.

Cllr Pat Sherratt felt that the town was not prepared for guests when the port played host to a cruise liner for the first time on Wednesday March 4.

He said: “Those cruise passengers who did not book shore excursions, which sadly do not include Dover, were left visiting independently.

“At 9am the tourist information office was not open.

“Dover Castle was closed, and access to the iconic White Cliffs of Dover from Dover Docks to the visitor centre was also closed.

“This was due to footpath improvements being made without any reference to the tourism season.

“Dover has to raise its game if it really wants to attract tourism.”

Buses that take the guests to other parts of the county meet at the terminal at 8.30am during peak season.

It is there that volunteering groups such as Dover Greeters try to entice people into the town instead of using it as a stop-off before heading to places like Canterbury.

Cllr Sherratt, who is also a member of the Dover Society, will step down from the town council in May to concentrate more on volunteering.

He said: “I have more that I can do in the volunteer sector.

“This is with the Dover Society, the National Trust, Town Hall Guides, Visit Kent and the Walkers are Welcome activity.”

Dover is working towards collecting 1,000 signatures to become an accredited Walkers are Welcome town.

So far nearly 650 people have signed Walkers are Welcome forms at the town council offices in Biggin Street.