Many viewers have given the thumbs down to retail tzar Mary Portas' long-awaited programme on her attempts to breathe new life into Margate.

Mary Queen of the High Street, which aired on Channel 4 last night, saw Portas visiting the resort where one in four shops have closed down in recent years.

The show saw Portas attempt to capitalise on the success of the Turner Contemporary gallery by suggesting the creation of an 'inland pier' as another tourist attraction.

She also arranged for Chas Hodges, one half of Cockney duo Chas and Dave, to visit the town to perform their song Down to Margate.

But viewers also saw Portas on the receiving end of a hostile reaction from many residents, who felt her involvement was a gimmick aimed more at creating good television than revitalising the town.

The negative feedback continued on Twitter after the show.

Neil Jenkn (@neilfav) tweeted: "People working hard to revive Margate could do with REAL help from government, not ridiculous Portas spin."

@MargateHarbour added: "Wonder why Mary Portas wanted to create an inland pier in #Margate when we have a lovely one already? Maybe The Lighthouse Bar, NeNeached Margate, Lola and Company, the Seaside Portrait Studio and Great British Pizza just aren't up to scratch? I doubt it."

@davidwhite020 tweeted: "Get the feeling Mary Portas is milking all this hatred in Margate - makes her programme more interesting."

Margate was one of the Portas Pilot towns awarded £100,000 of Government funding last year.

But several members of the Portas Pilot project team quit in acrimonious circumstances.