A young woman was left shocked after spotting several piles of litter – including tights and a sex toy – left strewn across a town.

Resident Megan Carr was out on her morning runs in Faversham when she saw the litter scattered on the roads and pavements.

The mess in Abbey Street on Tuesday morning, which is thought to have been caused by an animal, has sparked calls for better measures to prevent seagulls and foxes from ripping bin bags open.

On her route the following day she saw more rubbish in the entrance to the Standard Quay car park as rubbish sacks had once again been torn into.

But most shocking was the adult item found among the bin bags left across the road in Abbey Street.

Miss Carr, who has lived in Faversham for two years, was saddened to see so much litter in the town.

“It was quite a shock to see,” she said.

“I feel that Faversham is quite looked after by the people that work and live here, so to see the litter strewn across the road was really out of character for the area.

“There were a few food containers across the road so it very well may be that a hungry fox was the culprit that caused the mess.

“The odd items in the torn bin bag were also a bit of a surprise. Several pairs of tights and a sex toy aren't what you expect to see first thing in the morning.

“However, I feel that if black bags weren't left out overnight for bin collections this might not have happened.

“If that can't be done then perhaps something else needs to be in place to stop hungry animals making a mess of a usually pristine, picturesque road.”

Miss Carr praised the bin men who quickly cleaned up the mess later that morning.

However, the next day she noticed the litter had returned – this time near the creek.

She added: “I was on my morning run again and saw yet more litter in Standard Quay and by the Albion Taverna.”

As well as the sex toys and items of clothing, general rubbish such as tea bags, food packets and tissues could be seen on the streets.

Swale Borough Council is responsible for street cleaning in the town but Faversham town councillors also say they do all they can to keep the streets tidy.

Cllr Trevor Martin (Lib Dem) said animals are often culprits for causing the mess, rather than a more suspicious or anti-social act by people.

“We get called about these things often,” he said.

“We are very conscious that it is a problem all over the country, not just in Faversham. All we can do is encourage people not to litter.

“Seagulls and other animals can cause problems as well. I have seen squirrels in the bins at Faversham Rec so that doesn’t help.”

Cllr Martin says that monthly litter picks are arranged to help keep the streets tidy.

Swale Borough Council has been approached for comment.