This is the “embarrassing” welcome to England tourists receive when they drive off ferries in Dover.

Ugly tags cover the road sign on the A20 near the Premier Inn in Marine Parade, making it one of the first things people will see as they exit the port.

Resident Karen Walker says she first spotted the vandalism over a week ago when she was walking her dog along the beach.

The 57-year-old even spotted tourists laughing and taking photos of it.

“What an absolute embarrassment,” she said.

“I’m surprised they haven't looked at CCTV to see who did the graffiti.”

Ms Walker runs an Airbnb property and says some of her customers visiting from the Continent have commented on the sign.

“It’s embarrassing,” she said.

“There is another sign, on the dual carriageway right outside the port, and someone has sprayed an anarchy sign on it.

“It gives off the impression there is not much security around here and being next to the busiest shipping channel in the world, that is quite disconcerting.”

Ms Walker has tried reporting the graffiti, but says “nobody will take responsibility” for the sign’s maintenance.

“This is the road going to London which huge amounts of tourists take,” she added.

“They must be wondering what is coming next.

“There does not seem to be anyone with any kind of patriotism anymore.

“There is also some awful graffiti on Dame Vera Lynn Way going up to the cliffs.

“I don't expect the graffiti criminals to know how symbolic the cliffs are and the lives that were lost up there for them to have their freedom today, only to disrespect the dead and our area.”

The anarchy symbol has been sprayed onto a road sign on the opposite side of the A20 dual carriageway just before the Eastern Docks roundabout.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "Defacing a traffic sign like this is dangerous, not just for the person who is risking their life to do it, but also for our on-road team who will have to fix it and the tens of thousands of drivers who use our motorways daily.

“We view this as an act of vandalism and will work in partnership with the police to pursue prosecution wherever possible.

"Safety is National Highways' top priority, and we strongly urge people not to engage in dangerous acts of vandalism."