Many Islanders are calling on customers to boycott the new Specsavers in Sheerness to support homeless campaigner Malcolm Staines.

The 64-year-old has camped outside the empty shop for three years collecting for those in need.

But Specsavers' bosses have told him to move when they open the shop next month.

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Mr Staines, who has a caravan in Minster, said: “I was looking forward to spending my third Christmas there.

"It is a central spot and sheltered. The kids need to know where I am so I can give them carrots to give to Rudolf."

And he insisted: “I’m not planning to go anywhere.”

He sets up a collection bay on the pavement on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 2pm.

News of his looming “eviction” spread like wildfire on social media.

Shane Marden said: “I can’t believe what I heard today. The man who sits outside the old pound shop has been told he has to move on when Specsavers opens.

"I think it’s wrong. He’s been sitting there all this time and now he’s not allowed.

"I think it's wrong... he's been sitting there all this time and now he's not allowed" - Shane Marden

"He’s not doing any harm to anyone.”

Tracy Hudson said: “Absolutely disgusting of Specsavers.

"I hope they hang their heads in shame.”

Abbey Samways added: “This makes me so sad. He is part of our community. I take my hat off to him.

"My daughter absolutely adores him. All us locals have a soft spot for him and appreciate what he does.

But the call has split the Island. Lindsey Dangerfield asked: “Why can’t he sit on one of the benches?

"I wouldn’t even mind him sitting at town clock. Nobody has the right to encroach on people’s property.”

Mr Staines admitted he had been offered alternative sites in the town outside Poundstretchers and at Masters House in Trinity Road.

Mike Kirkham-Ingram said: “I support what he is doing but I can also see Specsavers’ point of view.

"How would you feel if you bought a house which had someone sitting outside all day raising money for charity?”

Zoey Cross said: “I don’t see the problem. He’s been offered better spaces with free hot drinks or outside Poundstretcher where it’s more sheltered.

"What’s boycotting the shop going to achieve?”

A Specsavers spokesman said: “During a recent visit to our future Sheerness store we had a friendly conversation with a man who was collecting donations for homeless people outside our store.

"It was agreed he was welcome to collect there until the store opens, but that he would move on once we had opened.”