Furious residents have hit out at a 'disgusting' note threatening to remove a memorial for a young man who took his own life.

Sam Smythson, 20, was found dead in woodland in Kingsnorth, Ashford, in June 2020 about 12 hours after going missing.

His family and friends set up the memorial to remember the former John Wallis Academy pupil at the gates of Kestrel Park in which he was found.

The tributes include a picture of him, flowers, lights and candles bearing the crest of his favourite football club Manchester United.

However, Mr Smythson's relatives were devastated when a note was posted on the memorial for them to find, complaining about it and threatening to remove the items.

Written by someone claiming to live in the area, the letter accused the tribute-leavers of "causing deep distress" to people walking in the area.

In the letter dated March 23, the writer says: "I belong to a group of local residents who have walked around this area for the last 15 years.

"We are becoming increasingly distressed at the way you appear to believe this gate area is your own personal memorial site. IT IS NOT.

"While we understand your grief and need to commemorate this young man, you must consider how this constant reminder of the horrific act that took place in these woods is affecting hundreds of other people."

The writer then labels the tribute "horrible", and suggests that the family do the "respectful" thing and move the items to Mr Smythson's grave.

"This is not a grave. This is a public space, created for the local people's pleasure and enjoyment," they continued.

"Why on earth would you want to leave tributes in the place where this man took his own life?

"That is horrible. He is not at peace here. The place to leave these tributes is at his grave. That is the normal, respectful thing to do. At his grave, he is at rest and at peace.

"All you are doing here is causing deep distress to all the people who want to enjoy this area."

The family are then given a "few weeks" to remove the items, with any remaining tributes to be "removed, bagged, and handed into Ashford police station".

"They will not be damaged or destroyed, but you cannot continue to leave them here. Thank you for your understanding," the letter finishes.

Posts showing the note have been shared numerous times in local Facebook groups, prompting fierce reactions.

'It has allowed me to have difficult but necessary conversations with my children...'

One Kingsnorth resident said: "I have only lived in this part of Kingsnorth for a year. The memorial is very well kept and is quite beautiful – the letter is most distressing.

"I initially called the Kingsnorth parish office as I am not sure where we stand with this and if the person has a legal right to do this.

"Many local residents wholeheartedly stand with Sam’s family and want this memorial to stay.

"It has allowed me to have difficult but necessary conversations with my children about suicide and about getting support and it raises great awareness.

"Especially after mental health is at an all time low after the pandemic."

Mr Smythson had worked at the Premier Foods factory in Kennington Road since 2017.

Following his death, the firm said it was "incredibly saddened" by the loss of a "bright and capable young man".