A street name which attracted international attention after a local couple claimed it was homophobic is to stay, council bosses have confirmed.

Tonbridge and Malling council had launched a consultation into Bangays Way in Borough Green - named after local historian Frank Bangay.

Borough Green Parish Council had chosen the name, but after gay married couple Philip and Ian Tucker objected, they suggested changing it to Frank Bangay Way.

But after the consultation, the borough council has opted to keep it as Bangays Way.

Parish council chairman, Cllr Mike Taylor, said: "After a month's international hoo-hah we are staying with the name we chose.

"The good thing is it has definitely reminded people who Frank Bangay was. Fifteen years after he died many people in the village don't know who he was, but they do now."

Philip and Ian Tucker had said they found it offensive.

Mr Bangay’s family had said they were heartened by the reaction after the initial complaint.

One of his four children, Ian Bangay, said: “It would be interesting to speculate what the man himself would have gone for.”

Adrian Stanfield, director of central services for Tonbridge and Malling council, said: "The borough council received eight consultation responses from properties in Bangays Way; five of them objected to the proposal to change the name to Frank Bangay Way.

"The council's street naming and numbering policy requires that any change to a street name will require a minimum of two thirds support from the local residents for any change as this can be very disruptive and cause individuals to have to change all of their personal address details.

"Therefore, on the results of the consultation, there is insufficient support for the proposed name change to Frank Bangay Way and the street name will remain Bangays Way."