Rumours that Gary Glitter is living in Herne Bay appear to be untrue.

Gossip has spread all week that the the disgraced singer, real name Paul Gadd, has moved to the town and accounts of sightings have snowballed since the weekend.

But all of them are unconfirmed; every one is from an anonymous source; several are contradictory, and no one has taken so much as a mobile phone picture.

Nonetheless, as the rumours have spread, so the newsdesk has been inundated with calls.

Many people have expressed anger, with parents fearful for the safety of their children, and business owners furious at being linked to the convicted sex offender.

One rumour had it that he was spotted in the Bun Penny. In a statement, the pub responded: "We can categorically state that he has not been in or anywhere near this pub at any time."

Other reports have him living either in Beacon Road, Beacon Hill, or Glen Avenue, that he shops in Morrisons, that he is accompanied by guards, and that he goes out alone. As a registered sex offender, his actual whereabouts are known to the authorities.

Wednesday police issued a statement to the Gazette in direct response to the supposed Herne Bay sightings.

Det Ch Insp Paul Fotheringham, of Kent Police’s public protection unit, said: "Protecting the residents of Kent remains paramount to Kent Police and we work closely to monitor the behaviour of registered sex offenders in the county to minimise any risk to the public that may exist.

"We will also liaise with other forces when offenders move out of the policing area of Kent.

"We will not discuss any details about named registered sex offenders, which extends to confirming or denying speculation about where they may live."

Gadd returned to the UK in August after almost three years in a Vietnam jail for sexually abusing two girls aged 10 and 11.

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