Adver readers have voted overwhelmingly to stop the clap for carers, after its creator said it should end.

The architect of the weekly public gesture, Annemarie Plas, has said tomorrow’s show of support for NHS staff and key workers should be the last because of concerns the event has become politicised.

And in a poll on the Advertiser’s website, 81 per cent of readers who took part voted to end it against 19 per cent who thought it should continue.

Annemarie, a Dutch national living in South London, said she was overwhelmed by the support for the ritual, but it was better to stop when it was at its peak.

She told the PA news agency: “I think it’s good to have the last of the series on Thursday, because to have the most impact I think it is good to stop it at its peak.

“Without getting too political, I share some of the opinions that some people have about it becoming politicised.

“I think the narrative is starting to change and I don’t want the clap to be negative.”

On Facebook, Advertiser readers gave a variety of reasons for why the gesture should be stopped.

Anne Burleigh said the gesture had now become a competition to see who could do it better.

She said: “It was so lovely to begin with but as the weeks went on, it seemed to somehow turn in to a bit of a competition to who can put on the best show.

“Ambulances, police cars etc, which is great to see, but it attracted too much attention which then resulted in a lack of social distancing on a lot of occasions.

“It should stop and when this is finally all over, every single person should then stand on their doorstep, clap and cheer as loud as they can to celebrate and praise all NHS staff and other key workers.”

Marcus Jerome believed the clap should stop because of the impact it can have on pets.

He added: “It should definitely stop. It’s not fair on pets and there are idiots letting fireworks off weekly.

“They are being rewarded enough with a pay rise, priority shopping, food donations at hospitals etc, discounts from most online retailers.

“Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for the work they do but that’s what they signed up for and it seems they are getting all the support what about the poor shop workers?”

It has been claimed that the clap has now become patronising towards NHS and key workers and the true gesture should come after the crisis is over.

Souad Bouterfas said: “It’s patronising, many don’t want your claps.

“We want you to remember, when this is over, how precious key workers, essential workers, charity workers and NHS staff are when making political choices and dealing with us.”

Tomorrow’s clap will be the 10th weekly event since the UK went into lockdown in March, and it has seen members of the royal family, the Prime Minister and celebrities join in.