Hundreds of customers have rallied round the popular kiosk owner at Rochester railway station after he was given notice to quit.

Tevfik Toros, who has been running the drinks and snacks outlet for more than six years, has been told by rail operators Southeastern that his contract will end when the new station opens in December.

Mr Toros, 54, has been invited to put in a bid for a unit at the £26 million new-build in Corporation Street but fears he may not be able to beat competition from big-name chains.

Passengers have given him their overwhelming support with around 500 people signing a petition on the counter in less than a week.

Mr Toros said: “I will be putting in a bid but I think after my loyal service, I should be first choice. I am worried about competing with the big companies.

“If I don’t get it, I don’t know what I am going to do. It couldn’t be at a worse time, just before Christmas.

Mr Toros leaves his home in Eltham, south-east London at 4.30am to open up by 6am. His wife, Hutch, 53, prepares rolls and sandwiches every morning, six days a week.

He said: “I am not surprised by the support. Over the years I have made many friends and know a lot of people by their first names.

“We have a trust between each other. If they are in a hurry to get a train, they may grab a sandwich and go. I know I will be paid the next day. You would not get that in a big-name company.”

A spokesman for Southeastern said: “The current tenant in Rochester station has recently been served with three months notice as the station will be closed in December.

“The new Rochester station does have a space for a tenancy and we are currently in the bidding process for this tenancy. The tenant of the current Rochester station has been encouraged to bid for the new tenancy and at present no decision has been made.

“However, we would like to assure customers that all tenancy bids will be carefully reviewed and we will choose the most suitable option that provides the best service and the best value for money.”