Disappointed visitors claim they were turned away from the Whitstable Oyster Festival today because of overcrowding.

The world-famous event has been drastically scaled back this year after drunkenness, litter and traffic problems blighted last summer's event.

It has been moved largely to Tankerton Slopes, but residents say they were denied entry to a fenced off area as thousands of visitors flocked to the festival.

Jamie Leonard wrote on the Overheard and Seen in Whitstable Facebook group: "The festival is a shambles this year. Locals being turned away because of overcrowding. What a farce."

"Yes it's busy, but the Oyster Festival always is..." - Ben Madle-Jordan

Other complaints included a lack of seating and few stalls selling oysters, which is what the event is famed for.

Jon Perkins said: "They could have spread it over the whole of the Slopes but they chose to do the food in a fenced area up the hill."

Kirsty Guthrie agreed, saying: "It really should be more spread out with stalls just on one side."

Ben Madle-Jordan disagreed, saying the event is working well.

"Yes it's busy, but the Oyster Festival always is," he said.

"We went this morning at about 10am and it was great, had a very nice breakfast and look around.

"Then went back just now for lunch and, yes, it's busy but not unbearable, and we had a pushchair."

The event runs until Monday.