Organisers have cancelled a make-up masterclass aimed at children after it was slammed as "disgusting and abhorrent" by opponents.

The "MAC back to school mini masterclass", for children aged 12 and over, had been scheduled to take place at John Lewis in Bluewater in Greenhithe later this month, but the concept sparked outcry from those who felt it shouldn't have been aimed at such a young audience.

Many took to Facebook to comment on an event listing posted by Bluewater, which was subsequently removed before organisers confirmed the event itself had been cancelled, and said it should never have been arranged in the first place.

A statement from John Lewis said: "This was an isolated event organised at a local M·A·C counter. As a brand M·A·C does not market to anyone under 16 so this event should not have been arranged.

"It has been cancelled and we are very sorry for any upset caused. We're looking into how it happened to make sure that this type of event doesn't take place again."

A Kent Online poll voted on by more than 700 readers showed 65% were opposed to the event, while 35% believed it was a harmless idea.

Commenting on Kent Online's Facebook post, Roberta Hart said: "I saw this and did think it was marketed wrongly. So much pressure for teens/tweens these days and MAC/John Lewis are basically marketing this as a back to school make over.

"I thought school was about learning not a qualifying for some sort of beauty pageant."

But not everyone agreed.

Sarah Beeching said: "I was wearing makeup in year two at secondary I think it’s good - least half the girls won’t look like they have been tangoed and also have caterpillars as eyebrows?!?"

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford