More than 14,000 EU referendum postal voters in Swale have received guides indicating how to "vote remain".

The Electoral Commission information leaflets show a hand holding a pencil over the "Remain a member of the European Union" option.

They have been branded biased by anti-EU campaigners and Richard Palmer, former Ukip

parliamentary candidate for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, posting on Facebook called them "disgusting".

But Swale council, which distributed 14,085 postal votes last week with the guide on how to vote by post, says it has received just one complaint.

A spokesman added: "We think it is unlikely that postal voters in Swale would be persuaded to vote a different way because of the graphic in these instructions.

"A similar graphic was used as recently as the police and crime commissioner elections without complaint.

"After it was drawn to our attention we liaised with the Electoral Commission and are now making sure it is amended for any further postal voting packs that are issued to local voters."

Cllr Mike Baldock, Ukip leader on Swale council, sent an email to complain. He said: "I am very disappointed that Swale has used that particular graphic.

"I believe there were options as to what could be used. I do know some councils moved faster than others to withdraw them."

He added: "It sends a subliminal message. You look at it, see "remain in the EU", tick. If you are one of those people who are really not sure that subliminal message can have an impact.

"I think it's a very serious thing, when 14,000 people have been subjected to it in one district - across the country that number is going to be huge."

The council should have spotted it was a "blatant, unbalanced document", Cllr Baldock said.