Putting your feet up at the seaside has taken on a whole new meaning thanks to engineer Darren 'Dazza' Hardy and his friend Tony Valentine.

Tony, 67, a retired car transporter driver from Fleetwood Close, Minster, on the Isle of Sheppey thought signs were needed along the seafront to remind visitors to take their litter home.

So he asked his friend Darren, who lives in Halfway and runs Unit Engineering in Argent Road, Queenborough, if he could create something with the message 'Leave Nothing But Your Foot Prints on the Beach'.

The next day Darren turned up with a steel foot with the words cut out. They now come in pairs with 'Please Take Your Litter Home' on the other foot.

Tony, a dad of four and a grandfather four times over, said: "It's a step in the right direction. I saw a wooden sign on Facebook from Australia and thought it would be ideal for us. Dazza came up with the idea of making it out of steel and asking children to paint them. I mentioned it on the Sheppey Beach Users Forum Facebook page and now everyone wants them. It's going crazy."

The first have been installed along The Leas at Minster with the blessing of Swale council.

Tony said: "Dazza has made 12 pairs and agreed to foot the bill because it's for Sheppey. It would be great to get them on all beaches. We will try Sheerness, Leysdown and Queenborough next. We've already had interest from Southend, Tankerton and Broadstairs. Even the National Trust has asked for details.

"You can put any message you like on the feet. Dazza cuts them out with a laser."

Tony is also a keen engineer and mechanic and met Darren through a shared love of souped-up cars. They are both members of the British Hot Rod Association.

Cllr Chris Reed, a member of Sheerness Town Council, said: "This is a great idea and the art work by the children is fantastic. I'd love some for Sheerness.

"Beaches should be left clean for everyone to enjoy. I am tempted to use them as stencils to create rainbow footprints."

For details call Darren on 01795 666777 or email unit-engineering@live.co.uk.

Read more: Stories from the Isle of Sheppey here