The battle for official brown tourist signs promoting the Isle of Sheppey on the M2 and A2 has taken a step forward.

Sheerness Town Team has agreed to put its weight behind the campaign led by Jenny Hurkett of the Blue Town Heritage Centre.

Mrs Hurkett told the town team’s meeting at the Criterion Theatre on Monday: “We want signs to tell motorists about the ‘Historic Isle of Sheppey’. We are a tourist destination with beaches, museums, theatres, bird reserves and holiday parks.

“The Island is packed with history. It is time we changed the perceptions of Sheppey and made residents proud of the Island.”

She said previous attempts to install a sign had been rejected, adding: “All we are asking for is parity with Faversham, which has brown signs on the A2, and Maidstone, which has signs on the M20. We think there should be brown tourist signs for Sheppey on the M20, M2 and A2 at the junctions with the A249.”

Mrs Hurkett, who first launched her one-woman campaign in 2008, said: “Sheppey is the second most popular attraction for day visitors in Kent. Only Canterbury has more. We are Kent’s holiday island. The average spend per visitor is £22 per day. Tourism is worth £200 million a year to Swale.”

Visitors to the Blue Town Heritage Centre, which includes the renovated Criterion Theatre, spend an above-average £35 a head. Many take a coach tour of the Island, which can include lunch in local restaurants.

She said: “It has taken us five years to convince coach companies to start running day trips to the Island. At first they would only include it as a mystery tour. Now they are openly promoting Sheppey.”

Ukip councillors Richard Darby and Mick Galvin, who are town team members, promised to take up the battle and seek support from the borough council. Cllr Darby said: “This is the sort of thing the council’s tourism budget should be paying for.”

Highways England charges £8,000 to £20,000 for A-road signs, and £17,000 to £40,000 for brown motorway tourism signs. To join the campaign, email Mrs Hurkett at bthc@btconnect.com or call 01795 662981.