A divisive new Spanish-inspired seafront plaza will close to traffic for good before the end of the month.

The stretch of Central Parade, Herne Bay will first be cordoned off and resurfaced before reopening to pedestrians in early December.

The £250,000 scheme, which proved controversial when put to public consultation last year, is hoped to create a better coastal town for walkers and cyclists.

When the plans were approved in June Kent County Council (KCC) bosses said they believed banning traffic along part of Central Parade and laying down a one-way system in the surrounding streets would “boost the local economy and encourage more trips to the town’s pier”.

Now the first event to take advantage of the new public space has been announced, a festive light show which is being organised by the Herne Bay Pier Trust.

The display, which will be held on Saturday, December 16, will be accompanied by a visit from Father Christmas, circus acts and a festive DJ set.

Most of the event will be staged on the pier and will require a £5 ticket which can be purchased here.

But passersby will be able to take in the fire eaters who will be performing in view of the new plaza.

Originally, KCC transport chiefs rubber-stamped the proposals during a crunch meeting last year.

But the scheme was set in stone after the authority secured government funding over the summer.

By the end of the month barriers will be set up to prevent traffic travelling through Central Parade between the junctions with Pier Avenue and Station Road, drawings show.

Motorists will also be prohibited from driving westbound along part of the route running from Lane End to Dolphin Street.

Meanwhile, stretches of St George’s Terrace, Station Road, Richmond Street and Pier Avenue will be among those made one-way.

Canterbury City councillor for Greenhill Dan Watkins (Con), said: “I'm delighted that the Plaza works are proceeding to schedule and that we will be able to use this new community space for the first time to support the popular Pier Lazer Show on December 16th.

“Going forward, Canterbury City Council will be responsible for the governance surrounding use and management of the Plaza, but while that is decided, the Plaza is available for ad-hoc use by organisations. They just need to approach the council to agree the intended community use.”