A popular tourist hotspot in Kent has apologised for creating “unrealistic expectations” of a fireworks event after promoting it with a timelapse image of a previous seafront display.

Folkestone Harbour Arm used the photo to advertise this Saturday’s free illuminations, which are being put on by local craft beer outlet Brewing Brothers.

Posted on Facebook, the picture showed fireworks filling the night sky in a spectacular explosion of colour above the seafront attraction.

But harbour arm bosses have now been forced to admit the image is not a true reflection of what is in store for visitors this weekend.

In a statement headed ‘Fireworks important update’, they said: “The original picture used in a post for Brewing Brothers' fireworks display last week seems to have created unrealistic expectations of the scale of fireworks coming this Saturday.

“Brewing Brothers, in association with Hulas Beach Shack, will be putting on a small but spectacular display.

“Although the evening will still be fantastic, this is not a large-scale fireworks display.

“Apologies for any confusion, and thank you for your understanding.”

The statement was accompanied by a new picture of a single, much smaller firework, to provide a more accurate reflection of what visitors can expect.

The original image was created by local photographer Ashley Fuggle using a timelapse of photographs he took during a display to celebrate a Christmas lights switch-on in 2018.

Commenters have since called the difference between the pictures “hilarious”.

Lisa Darcy wrote: “Thanks for telling us. We were going to travel over and watch from a distance.

“We would have been a bit disappointed otherwise.”

Nicola Joyce added: “The difference between the two images is pretty hilarious.”

Connor John Mitchell posted: “I thought it was too good to be true.”

The display will take place at Brewing Brothers this Saturday, with anyone attending asked to arrive at 6pm for a 7pm display.