The Olympic handover celebrations in Herne Bay have been criticised as lacking atmosphere and activites.

Around 300 people were at Memorial Park to watch the ceremony live from Beijing on a big screen on Sunday.

But the number dwindled to about 50 after the ceremony had been shown.

“Canterbury City Council has failed us,” complained 52-year-old Andy Newell, of Gordon Road, Herne Bay.

“There was very little atmosphere and the TV cameras filming the event were put away at 3.30pm. By 4pm, there were barely 50 people there.

“We should have had months of advertising but we didn’t. Once again the town has been let down.”

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John Moore, a councillor at Herne and Broomfield parish council, echoed Mr Newell’s concerns.

He said: “There was very little promotion of this event and that meant there were very few people there. The atmosphere was very flat.”

See the video from Sunday's Memorial Park event

Canterbury City Council, which hosted the event, has insisted the day was a success.

Spokesman Steve James said: “We did as much as possible to promote it.

“The people who attended very much entered into the Olympic spirit and enjoyed themselves.”