CAMPAIGNER and musician Bob Geldof has been invited to see for himself that Margate is not as “ugly” as he claims.

The star, who moved to Kent 23 years ago, made the comment in an article in Kent County Council’s free newspaper.

In response, Thanet council leader Sandy Ezekiel issued an open invitation to the singer to “spend some time in the town to find out about our regeneration programme".

Cllr Ezekiel said the former Boomtown Rat frontman and Live Aid mastermind, would be “an ideal figurehead to help support the drive to revive the fortunes of the resort”.

He added: “Sir Bob has great connections and knows the value of sustained commitment to a cause – that’s where we are with Margate.

“Its regeneration is an important ongoing plan and I am sure Sir Bob would appreciate our ambitions. I’d be very happy to show him around and tell him what we are doing.”

In the article, Sir Bob is quoted as saying: “I know Kent is a bit scruffy and worn at the edges and some of its ugliness is excusable but some of it is cute and some of it is so sublimely beautiful it’s ridiculous.

“If you drive off piste for five minutes you can find complete beauty. It’s a mad mystery, the battle of the ugliness of Margate against the charm of the beaches.”

See this week’s Isle of Thanet Extra for the full story.