A Kent candidate in TV series The Apprentice heard the fateful words "you're fired" last night.

Mona Lewis, of Sittingbourne, went out in the eighth week of the hit BBC show, after an assignment to re-brand Margate.

The team member was criticised by Sir Alan Sugar for her lack of knowledge of Kent, as she faced the millionaire's wrath in the boardroom showdown.

Her team had chosen to aim for the pink pound - re-branding the town as a magnet for gay holidaymakers.

But Sir Alan claimed the message had been watered down, and the pitch was poor.

Episode eight of the hit BBC TV show was filmed in the seaside resort in October.

The eight remaining candidates were given two days to produce an eye-catching series of posters and an informative leaflet to attract new tourists to the town. They pitched their campaigns to tourism experts and to the residents and dignitaries of Margate.

One of the contestant's ideas was to market the town as a gay resort, building on the growing popularity of events like Thanet Pride.

Horace Hotman, committee member for the event, said: "I'd never really thought about rebranding Margate as a gay resort but it would be interesting to see if we could compete with the likes of Brighton and London."

Now just one Kent contestant remains in the competition - outspoken Lorraine Tighe.