Hopes of displaying a historic lace panel at the new council offices have been dashed because it’s too big.

Cllr Steve Worrall suggested moving the framed tapestry from its current location at the Healthy Living Centre, off Royal Road, Sheerness, to the Gateway Centre so more people could see it.

But its height means it can’t be accommodated in the building, which is due to open on November 21.

The panel, which depicts the Battle of Britain dog fights and eventual victory over the German Air Force, measures 15 feet high and 5 feet 6 inches wide.

A Swale council spokesman said: “This was a great idea, and we have tried to accommodate it.

“However, having evaluated all the options open to us, we regret it is not going to be possible to fit in the Gateway.

“Had the idea come to light earlier, it might have been possible to find a solution to house the tapestry, but logistically it is not feasible now with the plans for the interior so advanced.

“There is no scope to start amending the structure in order to house the tapestry without incurring extensive alteration costs/delays to the opening.”

Cllr Worrall is disappointed by the news.

He said: “I would have liked to have seen it there but I’m not surprised.

“So many people have said they didn’t know it was at the Healthy Living Centre and it’s certainly stimulating public interest.

“What I’d like to do now is have an information board next to it telling people what it’s all about as there’s nothing there at the moment.

“We have a good graphic design department at the council. I’m sure they can do something that’s more than appropriate.

“I don’t envisage it being particularly big, just carrying sufficient information to let people know what it’s all about.

“We’ve also thought about putting up information boards at the Gateway Centre telling people about the lace and where they can find it.”