The seafront looked like a ‘bomb site’ after thousands of people flocked to the coast this weekend.
With the sun finally shining on Kent, the beach at Folkestone was full.
But this morning, disposable grills, beer crates and glass bottles were left abandoned on the pavement and seagulls foraged in the rubbish.
Folkestone resident Liam Godfrey, who took pictures of the mess, told KentOnline: “It’s absolutely horrible.
“I’ve lived here for seven years and this is the worst litter I’ve ever seen.
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“I was down at the beach yesterday and it was packed – it was great and really nice to see after the awful weather we’ve had.
“I really like to see our city come alive and people enjoy it, but come on, it’s like a bomb site.
“They come from the city, but the lack of respect they have shown is beyond measure. They come down, they park, they don’t go into town and they don’t really contribute to the local economy and they just leave their mess.”
With the warmer weather approaching, Mr Godfrey fears similar scenes could play out every weekend in the summer.
“This is a warning of things to come,” he said.
“The lack of respect is off the charts and it really breaks my heart. Take your trash with you.
“Yesterday was probably the first day of summer and it’s lovely to see so many people on the beach, but just to think it can stay like this. What’s on people’s minds?
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“We’re paying council tax and for it to be cleaned up, but it can’t go on like this.”
When talking about how the problem could be solved, Mr Godfrey says he thinks people need to be fined for not disposing of their rubbish properly.
He also says a “beach pass” could help, so people have to pay to visit and therefore contribute to cleanup costs.
“I was frustrated and angry that these people don’t treat our city with any respect.” It creates negative feelings,” he said.
“Folkestone relies on summer trading – it’s dead in the winter – so I’m glad it’s so busy. But then you come in the next morning and you’re like, what the hell happened?”
It is not the first time rubbish has covered the pavements in Folkestone. Last June, rubbish left behind at the popular seaside spot after a sunny weekend included a giant watermelon, a beach chair and aluminum picnic plates.
Dog walkers told of having to pick up their pooches and carry them over the debris, and one disgruntled litter picker, Stephen West, said he was horrified by the amount of litter along the Upper and Lower Leas.
A spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe District Council said: “It’s sad to see people leaving litter around unnecessarily, but this particular photo shows why leaving bags full of rubbish next to bins isn’t as useful as you might think.
“This will encourage seagulls to tear them apart and leave behind a terrible mess, which has a negative impact on residents and visitors, as well as the environment and wildlife that call Folkestone & Hythe home. So if the bins are full or you can’t fit the waste in them, take it home with you.
“We are providing extra cleaning supplies during the summer season and for Folkestone City Council’s upcoming Armed Forces Day event. This is on top of the additional bulk bins introduced at the hotspots which have been in place since April and our e-bike which helps with collections in hard to reach areas along the waterfront.
“However, these measures will only be successful if people are considerate in disposing of their waste when they are out and about.”