OPERATORS of a massage parlour in Canterbury have been have been told to quit by the landlord.

The action follows an expose in the Kentish Gazette of the selling of sexual services at number 12 New Street, St Dunstans. However, residents say business is running as normal. The house is currently under investigation by the police and council-run public safety unit (PSU). A council spokesman said: "The public safety unit has spoken to the landlord of the property who has served notice on the tenant."

A stream of male visitors to the end of terrace house has not slowed, according to people living close by.

One resident said: "It's been business as normal. There does not seem to be any change in the number of men arriving throughout the day."

Another said: "I have been told by the PSU that the landlord has served notice for the tenants to leave. I would just like to see the business stopped as soon as possible.

"I did show the landlord the advert in a newspaper some weeks ago and he suggested he was happy to leave things until the current tenancy ran out.

"For me, the most disruptive thing is when workmen arrive in building trucks and vans and park along the street. They are quite bold about it and just wander in casually.

"I know some residents were concerned that too much publicity would devalue their properties but I don't think that is a major problem.

"The police's response to the original complaint was that the activity was not illegal and difficult to prove.”