A "nightmarish" Artificial Intelligence (AI) -generated Christmas mural has been removed from Kingston after it drew public backlash for its serious errors.

According to the Express, the designers likely input a prompt into AI requesting a traditional Santa Claus scene with animals and villagers splashing about and getting into the festive spirit.

However, sometimes this popular image generation technology gets it wrong and creates "scenes from hell", known as hallucinations.

The "artwork" had creatures with grotesque facial deformities, such as a snowman with human teeth and eyes, headless men and dogs that looked like chickens.

The owner reportedly claimed the artwork drew inspiration from 16th century Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

After locals noticed deeply disturbing elements and mocked it on social media, the enormous festive banner on Kingston's Riverside Walk was urgently dismantled on Thursday morning (20 December), reported Metro.

Designer Cameron Tomlin, 37, said: "The mural was awful… Not very Christmassy at all. It was more like a horror film scene. AI has not worked very well here unless it was done on purpose as a publicity stunt."

Another viewer pointedly wrote: "So they didn't even look at it once before printing it… How many glaring errors can you spot in the Christmas mural?"

A substantial number of shoppers also believed the image's depiction of people splashing through water was political commentary on the boats used by migrants crossing the Channel, according to London Centric.

"There's clearly something political about it but nobody knows what it is," said one restaurant manager.

People were divided on whether it's an attempt to humanise small boat crossings or mock them.

Kelly Sherlock, 28, declared: "It was an eyesore - it was bonkers really. Everyone was going down to have a look so it was eye-catching, but in the wrong way."

The image was placed above Cote on Kingston's Riverside Walk (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

The mural was positioned above Côte Brasserie and neighbouring businesses in Kingston.

Taking to social media, one local resident said: "I'm really interested to know what everyone thinks of the AI generated image that's on the river.

"I think it's one of those things that gets worse the longer you look at it and it's a shame that it's been put up when Kingston has such a good art heritage. But there are some really funny occurrences in the imagery- it's just so bizarre!"

Once the mural was taken down, the resident said: "This has now been taken down. So, from what I can gather, it's the Landlord who put this up, not the council and the decision was made to take it down when there was negative feedback from social media.

"I think that, I like the effort and the thought that went into putting something up on that space from the landlord, and it actually did bring people together!

"I hope this doesn't put them off in the future, however staying away from AI would be very good and using the local talent to contribute their talents would be great."

Another resident added: "I noticed it from the other side of the bridge. As I got closer crossing the bridge it just got worse and worse. Disturbing on so many levels. I've had a career in the creative industry for 30 years and this sums up the race to the bottom perfectly."

A third said: "Can't stand AI 'art' it's a shame as Kingston isn't short of artists but AI slop is cheaper to commission I suppose."