An anonymous campaign has been launched to get a popular music festival moved from Maidstone’s Mote Park to Detling.

Ramblin Man Fair returned to Maidstone’s Mote Park last weekend, to the delight of 20,000 rock fans who attended.

But people living nearby received a note asking them to write to Cllr Clive English to complain about the noise in an attempt to get the event moved to the Kent Showground.

Cllr English, whose ward covers roads near Mote Park, said he was not behind the leaflet, adding: “I have received some complaints, but I have also received emails saying what a good event it was, begging me not to take any action.”

Steve Sheppard,of Willow Way, contacted Cllr English saying: “We had no concerns or issues whatsoever. Even to the point we were able to have windows open throughout the weekend, proving noise levels were minimal.”

Maidstone council received 35 noise complaints a slight increase from last year. The authority pledged to listen to concerns and said sound levels were independently monitored.

Chris Ingham, manager of organising company Spirit of Rock, said staff had done their best to minimise the impact on neighbours.

He said: “We faced the stages away from the closest houses, and also moved stages to different areas of the park.

“We took feedback and complaints from last year on board when setting up the festival and hoped to minimise problems.”

But those in Grove Green and Bearsted said they experienced increased noise as the stages were facing their way. Many said they couldn’t sit in their gardens or open windows.

But Robert Lund, of Harvesters Way, Grove Green, was pragmatic, adding: “When it’s only for one weekend it’s not so bad, I wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of phoning the council.”

The Social Festival, previously held at Mote Park, moved to Detling this year after more than 100 complaints were made to the council.

A council spokesman added: “Festival organisers are free to look at any venue they wish. It’s not for us to tell them where to hold their events.”

Spirit of Rock announced the festival would return to Mote Park next year on July 29-30.