EasyJet has withdrawn a controversial advertising campaign after it received criticism for making “cheap jibes” about a seaside town.
Angered by the posters for the low-cost airline, which ran with the slogan “This year, end up in Malaga, not Margate”, locals from the Kent town took to Twitter.
One user called the seasidelandlady, tweeted: "easyJet How VERY dare you talk about OUR town like that, you can keep your cheap trips, and cheap jibes #letsallstacationatmargate Grrr."
Local resident and councillor, Will Scobie, also said easyJet had picked the wrong target for its ad campaign. He said: "Margate is a fantastic town for people to visit.
"We've just been named as one of the top 10 places in the world to visit, we've got exciting local shops that you can't find anywhere else, the new Turner Contemporary art gallery and an air show this summer.
"EasyJet picked the wrong place to insult with their campaign."
EasyJet has since apologised and confirmed it had stopped running the ads. It said in a statement: "There was no intended criticism of the town but, of course, we apologise to any residents of Margate who have been offended by the campaign.
"EasyJet has taken the decision to cease running the ads."