Stunning flowers which have become a beloved tourist attraction have been saved after campaigners convinced a council to backtrack on their decision to kill them.

The hollyhocks have been a part of Church Hill in Hythe “for more than a decade” and are popular among both residents and visitors.

They line the pathway which overlooks St Leonards Church and brighten up the walkway each summer.

However, last May, Kent County Council (KCC) became responsible for maintenance and weed killing, and subsequently destroyed them.

The council was planning to continue the same action annually, sparking uproar from locals.

Now, thanks to persistent lobbying from Green Party councillors Andrew Walters and Jenni Hawkins, alongside concerned residents, KCC has decided to “hold off” on the weed killer.

Barbara Mercier, who has lived in Church Hill since 2019, believes the hollyhocks are an “amazing tourist attraction for the town”.

“Last year someone came down with weed killer and got rid of all of them. The path did not look the same without them,” she said.

“When I was viewing the house to buy I could not believe how beautiful the hollyhocks were. It was like stepping back in time.

“I have had friends visit from America and they were enchanted by the flowers.

“They said it was exactly how they imagined an English town to look!”.

Ms Mercier also spoke of the environmental importance of the much-loved flowers.

She went on: “It was important to many of us that they returned this year. We need pollinators. They are very important in an environmental aspect.

“They are right next to the church and the hollyhocks make the walk even more beautiful. It seemed a crazy decision to get rid of them.”

John Howard, who also lives in Church Hill, believes it would have been “stupid” to kill the flowers and has never seen them “be a danger to anyone”.

Mr Howard added: “I think they are a great attraction for the town. I very often see people come up here and take pictures of them.

“I’m glad they will be here this summer.”

Mr Howard, who has lived in his home for the past 18 years, explained how much the flowers mean to residents in the area and hopes to see them “return to their former glory”.

“I remember a lady across the road many years ago chasing a man up the hill who was trying to kill the plants!

“They mean a lot to people here.

“They are not a danger to anyone. I’ve not seen anyone injured by a hollyhock!”.

Since May 2023, Cllr Walters has been one of the party members voicing his opposition to KCC regarding its decision to kill the plants.

Cllr Walters now says he is “very happy” the decision has been reversed.

He said: “For more than a decade, Church Hill was known for its abundance of hollyhocks. People would visit just to see them.

“KCC’s decision caused a very strong feeling of disappointment among locals.

“I am very happy to say that those responsible for making decisions have agreed to stop this ridiculous plan to weed kill our iconic hollyhocks.”

A spokesperson for KCC said: “We have listened to and understand the concerns people of Church Hill, Hythe, have about the beloved hollyhocks.

“The cabinet member for highways and transport, Neil Baker, has decided we will therefore hold off the weed killer and have further conversations with the town council, so we can keep this little piece of England brightening people’s days.”

This is not the first time in recent months KCC have been forced into a dramatic U-turn.

Last month, the council put the brakes on plans to sell off its libraries.

Around one-third of the 99 in Kent were earmarked to be “disposed of”, but KCC later clarified that “any changes to the library service would involve full public consultation”.

Furthermore, in November last year, controversial plans to close four of Kent’s tips were left in tatters after county councillors voted to dump the proposals.

Conservative members rejected all closure options after months of public protest and fears of the political price they might pay at the next Kent County Council elections.