Asbestos was being removed from a property in East Malling in an unsafe manner, it has emerged.

Planning officers at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council yesterday received an anonymous tip off that asbestos was being removed from a maisonette above the shops in Twisden Road.

The council's asbestos contractor then visited the site and found that some of the materials there did contain asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told residents that the risk of breathing in fibres is low, but they were advised to avoid walking through dust and debris and to keep their first floor windows and doors closed.

The One Stop shop below had to shut , with a notice on the door saying the decision had been taken on the advice of the council.

However it was able to re-open yesterday evening.

Cllr Daniel Markham said: "This sort of behaviour needs to be dealt with and I hope the HSE take the appropriate action."