In a letter to police Windsor Council's leader Simon Dudley claimed beggars had made a “life choice” and could show the town in an “unfavourable light” during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

Mr Dudley’s remarks were branded “abhorrent” by local campaigners.

Taking to Twitter the Tory councillor said: “Sadly there is an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy in Windsor.”

Mr Dudley called the police to focus on “dealing with this before the Royal Wedding”.

He said: “There is a growing concern amongst residents, businesses and visitors regarding the number of people occupying the streets of Windsor, who are begging during the day and in some cases taking occupancy throughout the night.

“In the Royal Borough we believe homelessness is completely unacceptable in a caring, compassionate community such as ours. We are working to create the necessary housing for our residents.

“Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the Royal Wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety. The whole situation also presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light.

“It’s largely vagrancy and begging… People marching tourists to cash points to withdraw cash, hanging out near car park ticket machines to get discounts and ask tourists for money’ during a lengthy discourse with residents.”

Windsor Homeless Project’s Murphy James said: "It's absolutely abhorrent that anybody has got these views in this day and age, especially a lead councillor of the borough.

"If somebody is sleeping out on the street they are not there by choice, they are there because something has gone wrong."

The eyes of the world are set to be on Windsor when Ms Markle joins the Royal Family by marrying Prince Harry.

The happy couple’s wedding is expected to bring a massive £500million to the UK economy in a massive boost to the country.

Thousands of tourists from around the globe are expected to flock to the UK later this year to enjoy the festivities and to try to catch a glimpse of the royal couple as they tie the knot.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in April 2011 led to an increase of 350,000 visitors compared to the same month the year before and business valuation consultancy Brand Finance believe we will see a similar trend in May.

Harry is one of the most popular members of the royal family and Meghan’s status as a globally recognised actor means their wedding could eclipse that of older brother William.

In total, consultancy firm Brand Finance estimates the nuptials will generate some £500million.

The company’s chief executive David Haigh said: “We think approximately £200million will come from tourism, travel, hotels.”

He believes around £150million would be spent by people having parties and celebrating while commemorative merchandise is likely to net another £50million.

The wedding is also set to provide Britain with around £100million in free marketing, according to Mr Haigh.