A STUDENT has recorded a dossier of neglect which she claims makes a mockery of Canterbury's bid to become European Capital of Culture.

Raffaella Paris, 22, who is studying English and film at Kent University, says she is appalled at the tatty appearance of many shop fronts.

Now she has photographed 14 offending premises and says she plans to send the results to the council.

They are Thorntons, Rymans, JJB Sports, the National Trust, Debenhams, Cousins Jewellers, Barclays Bank, Thomas Cook, the Alliance and Leicester, the Falstaff Hotel, Jumper, Wax Lyrical, Consignia and St Thomas' Hall.

Miss Paris, 21, from Ashford, has travelled widely in Europe and says businesses have more pride in their appearance in continental towns and cities.

She said: "They will not accept dirty, poorly-maintained buildings that have part of their signs missing and filthy stains up their walls. The general notion here seems to be as long as the cash registers are still ringing, it does not matter if the paintwork is peeling.

"The prime suspects are mainly franchise or national companies whose owners seem to feel that as they are a long way away, they don't really need to care."

She said: "Is it any wonder shoppers are abandoning our dirty streets for the pristine halls of Bluewater?

I just wish the business community would recognise the commitment of the city council with its bid for the Capital of Culture and make an effort themselves."

City centre manager Phillippe Esclasse said: "I am afraid the council does not have any powers to force these businesses to spruce their shops up unless it become an environmental health or safety issue.

"But obviously, we are bidding for this prestigious title and we want the city to be as smart as possible. The problem is that many of the businesses are in leased premises and have tiers of management where it is probably quite difficult to get something as simply as a lick of paint done quickly."