An author who was sacked from her job at a Whitstable children's centre after parents complained about her saucy novel has received support from TV chat show The Wright Stuff.

Bettina Bunte, 51, was dismissed by Kent County Council following the release of her novel The Lost Soul which drew on her experience of an illicit affair with a married middle-aged lab technician while at school.

Parents of children at the school complained about explicit passages in the book in a similar style to erotic bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey.

After the story broke in the Whitstable Gazette, the dismissal was discussed on Channel 5 chat show The Wright Stuff on Friday.

The panelists actress and model Susie Amy, author and comedian Dominic Holland and Britain's Got Talent contestant Lucy Kay claimed Bettina had been harshly treated.

Ms Amy said: "I don't think anyone aged 0-5 will understand a thing in this book that is going to affect them in the classroom.

"I think she has been treated very, very harshly. If this is the only reason she lost her job something needs to be looked at.

"I find it interesting the people in the town were so offended.

Mr Holland claimed Kent County Council had "overreacted" by making a "ridiculous decision" but actually helped Bettina launch her career as a novelist.

He added: "This lady is not going to need to have her nursery job any more her book will sell really well.

"This publicity is what every author is desperate for. They have done her a real favour as a writer."

While Lucy added: "I think it is a bit extreme."

Ms Amy also told the audience she would buy the book confirming on Twitter she intended to read it.