A shop owner has been left stunned after being locked out of her store by the council, which claims the business is causing anti-social behaviour.

The Bong Shop has been running in Margate since the 1960s, moving to the high street in 2011 under boss Thule Letts.

However, when she was on holiday in Crete, Thanet District Council (TDC) put a closure notice on the door, banning anyone from entering.

Ms Letts is now being taken to court, sparking uproar among her supporters on social media.

She says the council is alleging that she has been partaking in drug dealing and that the use of the business is leading to “disorder” in the town.

The shop’s website says it sells both traditional and modern bongs - water pipes used for smoking cannabis or other drugs.

Ms Letts told KentOnline: “We'

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