This picture of a poppy being burned with a lighter was posted on Facebook. Picture: @Kent_999s

A teenager has been released on bail after being arrested
for allegedly posting an offensive comment alongside a picture
of a burning poppy on Facebook.

Linney House, 19, from Aylesham, near Canterbury, was quizzed by
police yesterday as it emerged his grandfather was a Merchant
Navy hero.

Kent Police said they were contacted at about 4pm on
Remembrance Sunday and alerted to the image.

The picture showed a Royal British Legion paper poppy being
held to a cigarette lighter. A four-letter obscenity was posted
above.

House, pictured below and whose full name is Linford
House, was arrested on suspicion of an offence under
the Malicious Communications Act - just hours after an
Armistice Day service was held in his village.

Families in his village also told how his grandfather, Ronald
House, was hailed as a "hero" in the Merchant Navy.

Cllr Bob Thompson, who runs a boxing gym, said the incident had

"stunned" the community and cast "a dark shadow" over the village's

Remembrance Day.

He said: "It is such a shame - we had a fantastic ceremony to
pay our respects to fallen servicemen.

"The image on the internet has cast a dark shadow over
Remembrance Day.

"I don't know the lad who has allegedly done it myself, but I
knew his grandfather Ronald House - who was a great bloke."

Ronald House was awarded the Workers' VC in 1954 after he dived
into icy water to try and save a sailor near the coast of
Newfoundland.

Linney House, who previously worked at the White Hart
pub in Canterbury, is said to be a keen sportsman and a member
of the Snowdown Colliery Rugby Football Club, where his father
Keith is club captain, according to its website.

Chairman Jim Ritson said: "He [Linford House] has always
been a very dedicated rugby player and always seemed like a great
lad.

"As a club we will be meeting up to discuss the matter and to
discuss how we deal with the situation."

The poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for
soldiers who have died during wartime.

The arrest came after dozens of services were held across Kent
to mark Remembrance Sunday.

A statement by police said a 19-year-old had been interviewed by
detectives and released on police bail, pending further
investigation.