Ludicrous, ridiculous, mad and laughable.

That is the gut response from KentOnline readers after a pub refused to serve a man for wearing a polo shirt.

Terry Satterford, 32, of Gillingham, has vowed never to return to The Star, in his home town, after he was refused service because his ‘sportswear’ did not meet their new smart casual dress code.

The company which owns the pub has defended its decision to turn the customer away, but Our readers are universally outraged at the stance, and many have also pledged to join Mr Satterford in avoiding the premises in future.

Carole Bird, of Dover, wrote: “Pubs all over England are complaining about the fall-off in trade since the smoking ban was brought in last July.

“If this is the case, how come this pub can afford to turn down people who actually do want to drink there?

Jayne O'Dwyer, from Sittingbourne, added: “How ridiculous! This is getting beyond a joke now, what next?!”

Phil Smith, of Dover, was baffled by the pub’s dress-code, and commented: “If that ain’t smart casual, I'd like to know what the hell is. Ludicrous!!!”

Larkfield resident Rob Brown, wrote: “I know Terry and he is a hard-working honest bloke with high standards.

“Our forefathers fought wars to keep this country free. If they could see the way Joe Public are treated now, I don't think they would have given themselves so freely."

And it seems Mr Satterford isn‘t the only person to have fallen foul of The Star’s stringent rules.

Simon Head, said he popped into the pub one afternoon wearing an Umbro England fleece, and was turned away.

“Apparently, despite fancying a pint of Guinness and a spot of lunch in an ENGLISH PUB, in ENGLAND, the staff suggested people might be offended by my ENGLAND fleece.”

He added: “The chap behind the bar had already seen my attire when I popped into the pub to ask for change for the once-free car park, which is now pay and display. He happily obliged, saying nothing about my 'inappropriate' attire. But when, after being told I would not be served, I asked to be refunded our car parking charge, the staff refused.”

PE teachers Vicki and Phil Gower were equally appalled when their work clothes of tracksuit bottoms were deemed unsuitable for the establishment.

“We feel this is an outrage as we are PE teachers who generally wear this type of clothing and didn't see this as a problem on a Sunday afternoon, or any afternoon come to that.

“At the end of the day it is a 'Family Friendly' pub - how many kids do you see wearing tracksuit bottoms?! IT’S NOT AS IF IT’S THE RITZ!!”

And if there was any doubt left about why Mr Satterford ought to have been served, Lizzie Tanner, from Ashford, seemed to have the perfect answer: “He looks great in that t-shirt.”