Medway Council has blocked payday lender websites from all its computers – including at libraries.

The move comes amid increasing concerns about debt in the Towns and the number of quick-loan shops.

Other measures include banning such lenders from advertising on the three hoardings the council owns and writing to local media to request free advertisements for Medway Credit Union.

Credit unions are seen by many as an alternative to payday lenders.

Council leader Cllr Rodney Chambers wrote in a letter to Labour's Tristan Osborne: "You will see the council is doing all it can within its area of control and influence to limit payday loan advertising whilst promoting the much fairer credit unions based in Medway."

The Labour councillor last month called on Cllr Chambers to ban payday adverts.

Russell Hamblin-Boone, chief executive of the Consumer Finance Association, which represents payday lenders such as The Money Shop and Quick Quid, previously said: "Medway Council is clearly entitled to take any action it deems necessary and we would support any initiatives that drive out irresponsible lenders.

"However, we would be concerned that, without evidence of its impact, this action prevented people in Medway having access to responsible credit providers."