Leysdown’s seasonal lights have been taken down.

The 60 illuminations, which stretched from Warden Bay Road to The Promenade, were removed by Kent Highways’ contractors on Saturday.

The parish council’s failure to submit an annual permit is thought to be the reason for the decorations’ disappearance.

Tory councillor Pat Sandle, Leysdown and Warden ward member, has labelled the move a “disgrace”. She criticised Kent Highways’ actions as “high-handed”, saying the council had not received notice an annual permit was needed.

“I’m really wound up by it,” she said. “We were told by contractors the lights had to come down as a matter of urgency – but why?

“There was nothing wrong with them as they were checked everyday by myself and another councillor and none were hanging down or causing a danger.

“The lights gave the whole place a lift and made us look like an all-year-round seaside town.”

The illuminations were initially installed in December 2012, and included sets of stars attached to roadside lampposts and decorative waves and sky shapes in The Promenade.

Cllr Sandle said the lights cost the parish council £18,000 with traders chipping-in to sponsor individual sets.

She fears Kent Highways’ emergency removal work will incur a hefty bill and estimates at least £6,000 will need to be found to have the decorations reinstalled.

“Whether we can afford that money is another question,” she said. “But it’s money we shouldn’t have to pay out – where is KCC’s localism?

“When the caravan sites are open, Leysdown’s absolutely full at weekends. I don’t think I’ve heard one person say the lights don’t look nice.”

Cllr Sandle said the lights are currently in storage in Leysdown after traders pleaded with contractors for the items to remain in town.

A KCC spokesperson said engineers were called to fix a broken decoration in February and said the remaining lights were removed with the parish council's knowledge.

He said: "Any groups wanting to use our street lights to attach festive lighting and decorations need to ask for permission.

"This enables us check the columns are strong enough to take the additional weight.

“Leysdown Parish Council attached a number of festive decorations to our street lights.

"These should have been taken down after the festive season."