A Kent bookshop has found itself at the centre of international attention after its owner posted a photo of the empty store and pleaded for customers.

Sapphire Bates, who runs Book Bodega in Harbour Street, Ramsgate, warned the store needed to raise £800 by Tuesday to pay its bills.

Posting on Twitter, she said: "Winter is killing us, it’s so quiet and we need to make £800 by Tuesday to pay our bills. This is my current view = no customers. Please shop with us and help us stay open!"

Sapphire added: "Winter's been tough - I know if we can make it through the next month or two then we will make it through our first year of trading successfully.

"I always knew it would be hard to run a bookshop – especially in a seaside town – but boy it's still be a shock to the system."

The tweet was quickly picked up by some of the country's best-known authors, as well as book-lovers across the world. The appeal has now been seen by more than 700,000 people.

They include Adam Kay, author of This Is Going to Hurt and Undoctored, who offered to perform a free event at the store.

It was an offer quicky accepted by Sapphire, who replied: "Adam, I’ve got all 3 of your books on my bookshelf and I would die, yes, yes please."

Renowned crime writer Ian Rankin, author of the Rebus series, also retweeted the appeal to his 212,000 followers with the message: "Attention readers of Ramsgate."

Supporters outside the UK have also offered to get involved, with Sapphire suggesting they can buy book vouchers which would be redistributed to local charities.

The bookshop is not the first in Kent to take to social media to highlight trading challenges, with independent sellers coming under increased pressure from Amazon and supermarkets offering discounts.

Last year Phil Holden of Mr Books in Tonbridge revealed he had taken just £3 in one day.

He said at the time: "We've seen the levels of wealth that Jeff Bezos and the other tech billionaires are building up and good on them.

"But if you are going to buy people books, have a think about whether it's worth saving that pound or few pennies, or whether you can add that extra money and see it as a donation to keep your local high street alive."

Following the huge response yesterday, Sapphire tweeted: "Thank you again for all the love you have shown me and Book Bodega. It is so appreciated.

"If anyone wants any book recommendations please just drop me a message. Let me know the kind of thing you like to read and I’ll hunt out some good choices for you."