Plans for a lavish Christmas lights display have been scrapped following an “extremely disappointing” fundraising campaign - which managed less than 1% of its goal.

Organisers in Herne Bay had hoped to put on a grander show than in years gone by - with two Christmas trees, a switch-on event and festive illuminations stretching down Central Parade and High Street.

But following a lacklustre response from residents and local businesses, Herne Bay Christmas Lights team member Tom Mellish says the 2022 display will be a much more modest affair.

While there will be two Christmas trees, in Wimereaux Square and Mortimer Street, no illuminations will adorn the town's streets.

It comes 10 years after the town's Christmas tree attracted national ridicule when it was branded the "UK's worst".

“I’m extremely disappointed,” said Mr Mellish.

“This year we will not be putting on the display that we had in mind, and certainly not what we had last year.

“We will still have the two Christmas streets. They will look good, but at the moment that’s as far as we can go.

“Frankly we didn’t have the support to do much more.”

Having set out with the ambitious target of £50,000 and been met with a tepid response, organisers revised their goal to £10,000.

But so far, the group’s GoFundMe page has only managed to raise £346.

For additional cash, the project will have to rely on the remnants of last year’s drive, along with a £3,000 donation from the Herne Bay Coastal Community Team, which Mr Mellish chairs.

Organisers say part of the reason fundraising was more difficult this year was Canterbury City Council’s decision in February to remove funding for three of the district's largest events - Canterbury Food and Drink Festival, the Whitstable Oyster Festival and Herne Bay Festival.

Local authority chiefs claimed the cuts, which saved £38,000 of taxpayers’ money, would allow them to focus resources on core services, like waste collections and housing.

But the move left the organisers of such events vying for private sponsorship.

“With the funding for large events having been cut by the city council, all the local groups like us are all chasing the same pot of money from local businesses," Mr Mellish added.

“And while people are very generous in Herne Bay, I think budgets are tighter this year.

“We’re now facing high inflation, stagnated wages, people are getting worried about their bills, pensions may not keep up with cost of living - all these things have an impact.

“We’d really like to thank the people who have made a donation, though.”

Last year, residents enjoyed a sizeable display in Herne Bay, but in years gone by, the town's Christmas tree has been a source of embarrassment.

"In 2012 we were held up as a national disgrace for having the worst Christmas tree in the UK," said Mr Mellish.

It is hoped the two trees planned this year for Wimereux Square and Mortimer Street will bear no resemblance to the pitiful pines of a decade ago.