A complaint about a roadside floral tribute left at the scene of a popular barman’s tragic suicide sparked a council investigation.

Grieving Annie Harlow was told about the objection earlier this week, as the county authority probed whether a display of artificial and real roses on the outskirts of Herne Bay posed a hazard to vehicles.

The gathering of bouquets and cards line both sides of the Bullockstone Road bridge in memory of her son, Lee, who tragically died at the spot above the Thanet Way earlier this year.

“KCC told me on Monday the person who complained thought it was a distraction for road users,” Ms Harlow, 56, said.

“All you see is flowers – you don’t see a clown there doing a dance. I think that’s really petty, and it’s rubbed salt in the wound.

“I can’t see the harm it could be doing. It looks beautiful, and it’s been well-kept.”

Lee, 32, took his own life on the overpass in August, having suffered from depression since childhood.

Tributes poured in for the popular former barman, who was best-known for pulling pints at the Diver’s Arms, Druid’s Head and the Prince of Wales.

At the same time, dozens of flowers and messages started to be placed along the route by his loved ones.

Prior to his funeral in September, the cortège, including a horse-drawn hearse, also stopped at the location before making its way to St Martin’s Church in Herne.

“There’s not been an incident where it’s caused an accident or problem for anybody,” Ms Harlow added.

“It wasn’t just put there for Lee; it was put there to highlight male suicide.

“Everyone admires it. As a village in Greenhill, everybody loves it – but there was this one complaint.”

After speaking with Kent County Council, Ms Harlow believed she had been given until January 31 to take down the display from the bridge, and launched a petition to fight the decision.

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But KCC insists its officers only asked for the dead and wilting flowers to be removed in order to tidy up the tribute.

A spokesman for the county council also says the investigation concluded it “does not present a safety hazard”, and, therefore, it will not have to be removed.

“We are very sorry to hear of this family’s loss in such sad circumstances,” the official said.

“Officers were made aware of a complaint about the tribute in Bullockstone Road by a member of the public.

“In line with our duty as the highway authority we investigated and found it does not present a safety hazard and will therefore not ask for this tribute to be removed.”