Disgusting litter is creating a very poor impression for visitors arriving in Canterbury, a shop manager fears.

Adam Hopkins, who has run Cycles UK for 16 years, says the scene when he arrives for work at his city centre shop is often shocking with discarded fast food debris scattered around the road and pavements.

“We had some visiting Belgian cyclists in the shop recently and, frankly, it was embarrassing,” he said.

“Most mornings when I arrive for work, the street outside is a mess and must be giving a very poor impression to visitors.”

Much of the litter is fast food detritus which he believes is likely discarded by people using the bus station opposite and says it looks disgusting.

“Obviously, those dropping the litter are at fault but nobody seems to be taking responsibility for cleaning it up,” he said.

Mr Hopkins has been observing and taking photos of the litter and weeds over the past few months and says it is getting worse outside his business in St George's Lane.

“I have even seen people who are clearly community-minded out there with litter pickers cleaning it up, but it shouldn’t be their job,” the trader said.

Canterbury City Council spokesman Rob Davies says the vast majority of St George's Lane does not come under contractor Canenco's remit for bin emptying or street cleaning.

He explained: “Canenco's dedicated Canterbury cleaning team starts work at 6am with the support of mobile crews and they carry out a full initial sweep from the top of the High Street to St Dunstan's. This first phase normally finishes around 9am to 9.15am.

“The cleaners then remain in the city during the day to keep the centre clean and tidy. In St George's Lane, we only do the kerb areas.

“Clearly we cannot have people in every location at every minute of the day - that just wouldn't be feasible.

“We accept this does mean there is the potential for a build-up of litter in between visits, but a clean is never too far away.”

Weeds in the area, which are the authority’s responsibility, were removed on the same day KentOnline contacted the council for comment.

A spokesman for Stagecoach said: “We provide numerous litter bins throughout the bus station which we service at least once every day.”