Police are involved after a man claiming to be from the Green Party allegedly hurled racial abused at a shopkeeper.

The man was distributing homemade posters calling for people to 'Buy British' when the incident was reported to have happened, in Maidstone.

Now the local branch of the party is asking for shopkeepers to be vigilant and to report any similar approaches.

They say that although the posters have 'The Green Party' printed at the bottom, the man is not affiliated with the movement.

Matt White, chair of Maidstone Green Party: "We were shocked to learn both that someone claiming to be from the party is distributing homemade posters and has been racially abusive toward at least one shop owner.

"We have found a number of these posters in the town and we are keen that shop owners let Kent Police know if they have had similar problems.

"We are known as the party that fights racism and we severely condemn the use of racist language. We wish it to be known that this individual has absolutely no connection with The Green Party whatsoever."