The chief executive of Folkestone’s Creative Foundation has slammed claims the town’s gold rush was a beg for residents to claw their way out of poverty.

The Guardian had published a story last Friday which suggested the popularity of the event turned into a “documentary of despair” as Folkestonians “grasped at the chance to escape poverty”.

But Creative Foundation boss Alastair Upton wrote to the left-wing national newspaper criticising its biased view of just one of the 21 artworks commissioned for the Folkestone Triennial last year.

Hundreds of people descended on the beach when it was announced 30 gold bars worth £10,000 had been buried in the sand in the inner harbour by German artist Michael Stailsorfer.

It attracted national and international media attention and diggers were spotted on the beach for weeks as the summer drew out through September.

However, The Guardian took this as a plea for help for residents “interested in a slender chance to redeem lives blighted by poverty”.

Digging carried on right throughout the year and well into the winter as people were spotted on the sand at Christmas.

It is thought some 22 bars are still buried beneath the sand.

Mr Upton wrote: “Your interpretation of the work is not one shared by many of the hundreds of people who enjoyed getting involved in a good old-fashioned seaside treasure hunt.

“In your eagerness to tell a story of deprivation and unemployment you failed to mention that the Triennial has created 27 permanent artworks for the town by local, national and international artists.”

He then points out the regeneration of the Payers Park area of the town. It underwent a £1.5 million overhaul in the lead up to the Triennial which opened in August and turned a run-down patch of waste ground into a thriving new park.

Figures released last week showed more than 135,000 visited the town for the Triennial festival and contributed an estimated £2.8 million to the local economy.

He added: “We don’t believe that art can solve people’s problems but it is clear that the Triennial has made a positive difference – and though economic challenges persist, it plays an important role in bringing attention, drawing visitors and attracting people to live and work here.”

Residents reacted in shock to the article with many sharing it on social media lashing out at the way it had misrepresented the town and the installation simply promoted a good day out on the beach as a bit of family fun.

What do you think about The Guardian's claims? Do you agree with Mr Upton? Leave your comments below.