A radio presenter has concluded one of Kent’s coastal areas voted in favour of Brexit due to its "palpable" sense of decline.

LBC host James O’Brien paid a visit to Margate over the weekend and felt the “peeling paint” and “wonky windows” make those who live in the area feel like their best days are behind them.

Thanet voted for Brexit with almost 64% of its people keen to see the UK quit the European Union.

During his morning show today Mr O’Brien said: "I love the seaside, always have done, sometimes much to my wife's irritation.

"But the air of decline is palpable. And I'd missed this in the run-up to the referendum.

"I always wondered why they were so heavily pro-Brexit, thinking that people must rely on international trade.

"But of course, the man on the streets of Clacton doesn't rely on international trade for his livelihood.

"So I suddenly realised as I was walking through Margate and admiring the Victorian architecture, that they are living their entire life in a sense of decline.

"That's far from a criticism, it's an expression of heartfelt sympathy.

"I suddenly realised as I was walking through Margate and admiring the Victorian architecture, that they are living their entire life in a sense of decline..." - James O'Brien

"They've lived their whole life in a building where the paint is peeling, where the windows are wonky and you have this constant sense of your best days being behind you."

"I think the future's getting less exciting, or more worrying, for all of us and that's why we gravitate towards big cities, it's why kids like me move from Kidderminster to London.

"Because we have our eye on the future, on our future, and that transmutes into the national future.

"I would never criticise or insult people who stayed in Kidderminster, but when I'm at the seaside - particularly with Brexit being so front and centre in our minds at the moment - those of who care about the country, there's a life lived.

"An entire life you are born and raised in decline, in an area where you feel like the best days are behind you.

"And I think that's what got weaponised during the referendum."