HISTORIANS in Broadstairs say Dickens House Museum is not fit to host a great author after Thanet council put up unsightly signs on its facade.

Conservationists say the seafront building, which was visited by Dickens in the mid 19th century, has been defaced by the signs advertising the tourist information office inside.

Curator Lee Ault said: “It is a grade II* listed building, which is about the same as a cathedral, and if you put signs like these on Canterbury Cathedral there would be riots.

“Both Dickens’ birthplace in Portsmouth and the museum in London have been told they cannot put signs on the front of their buildings, and they have grade II listing. We are II* so are, in a way, more important than those.

“We have had a number of complaints from visitors.”

Others in the town are angry they did not get the chance to complain about the signs because the council does not need to apply for planning permission.

A spokesman for Thanet council said: “The small signs have been put up to notify visitors that the Visitor Information Centre is in the museum. The council feels that these are in keeping with the building and are pertinent to the activity taking place inside.”

Anger over the eyesore has been matched by reaction to a national newspaper article which, although mainly positive about Broadstairs, referred to it as “shabby”, “scruffy” and “down-at-heel”.

Resident Paul Conyers-Silverthorn said: “I have been urging Thanet council to freshen up Broadstairs for years. Perhaps now something might be done. I am very proud of Broadstairs and all positive press mentions feed that pride.

“However, I don’t see how Thanet council and Broadstairs town council can ignore these stated shortcomings any longer.

“We who love Broadstairs call for action on railings, on pavements, on the neglected spots on the undercliff, on litter. Let’s make this a sought-after holiday destination without shabbiness.”