VETERANS are angry that wreaths laid to honour Whitstable's war dead were taken away too early.

A record number of poppy wreaths were laid during this year's Remembrance Sunday service and they were due to be left on the war memorial outside the library until Tuesday.

But an administrative error meant contractors removed the tributes 10 days early. British Legion branch chairman Peter Hill said: "I have had no end of complaints about it.

"My phone was ringing constantly the day after they were removed and lots of people who laid wreaths have been in touch to say how upset they are.

"We had 46 wreaths this year which was the most we have ever had and they should have stayed on the memorial until the end of November but there was some kind of mix-up and they were taken away instead."

More than 1,000 people attended the service and saw the wreaths being laid and many added their own smaller poppies afterwards.

Mr Hill said: "I have never known it like that before. We had young people as well as older ones and everyone seemed to be there.

"It is a shame the wreaths could not stay there longer to remind people of the service but it will not stop us remembering the sacrifices made by our service men and women.

But it must not be allowed to happen again next year."

Council spokesman Rob Davies apologised for any upset caused when the wreaths were removed. But he said the date was agreed with the Royal British Legion district-wide.

"It was felt to be important that the wreaths were taken away before Whitstable's lights switch on, when there could be the chance of the wreaths being damaged or trodden on," he said.

"This would be very distressing and not something the council would want to see happen."