Outraged residents have hit out after hand sanitiser was stolen from a children's play area.

The theft from St Michael's Park near Tenterden has been described as "selfish" and "very sad".

Play areas have only recently been reopened after the coronavirus lockdown and many have measures in place to limit risk of the virus being transmitted.

For many councils, this includes sanitising stations such as the one that was stolen yesterday.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesman for Tenterden Town Council said: "Unfortunately someone has decided that St Michael's Park does not need a hand sanitising station and has stolen it.

"The wooden frame holding it up was also ripped off and thrown into a neighbouring property.

"If anyone sees this lying around in St Michael's please let us know.

"It is such a shame, and very sad really"

"For now, the Play Park does not have a sanitising station therefore please ensure you take your own gel with you.

"It is such a shame, and very sad really!"

Several residents responded to the council's post, with one saying: "This is really sad.

"So many children will probably go to the park after school today."

Another said that the incident "Just goes to show we have some really stupid people around".

Read more: All the latest news from Tenterden