The team behind a family-run business have described the shocking moment their shop front “exploded” onto the high street amid wild weather on the coast.

They say a fierce gust of wind blew through the open door of CGS Blinds and Shutters in Tankteron, near Whitstable, and ripped out the wooden frames and windows.

The freak incident occurred on Monday afternoon while a Met Office yellow weather warning was in place across Kent.

Debris including smashed glass, parts of the wooden frame and store samples were scattered along Tankerton Road, which was later partially closed off by fire crews.

Julie Shone, who works at her husband Gary’s blinds store, was outside when it happened and told KentOnline it was “like a bomb had gone off”.

“A massive gust of wind blew in and took the front out right into the street, and the debris was flying around,” the 56-year-old said.

“It was a whirlwind in here. We worried the whole building would go.

“It went bang, and then you just heard the glass shattering. Other neighbours said it was like hailstones on the windows, the glass hitting their shop fronts.

“It was like a bomb had gone off. Some people came out and asked if they had to leave their buildings because they thought it was a gas explosion.

“We were just really lucky that someone was not hurt out there.”

Kim Chiu, who owns Quite Contrary located two doors down from CGS, had a near miss with the debris from the shop front.

The 68-year-old said: “I went out to help Julie and took one of their parking cones from her as she went to chase her glasses that blew away. I was four or five steps away from the front of the store when suddenly it went boom.

“All I could see was the pieces of glass and wooden frame scattered into the air.

“It was only afterwards that I thought about the whole incident and got shaky.

“I was very lucky. The wind was horrendous - I’d never seen it that bad before.”

No one was injured, and Gary Shone, who owns CGS with his dad Chris, was quickly on the scene to begin clearing the debris and repairing the shop.

He said: “I just wanted to keep the business going. I just thought, ‘What am I going to do? My shop’s going to shut.’

“We’re trying to make the best of things and, hopefully, getting the new shop front will be speedy.

“The community was great. People were out helping. It’s quite nice that everybody really did come together when something like that happened.”

Fire crews were at the scene for more than two hours helping to clear the debris.

A spokesperson said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to Tankerton Road in Whitstable, following reports of a shop front blown out in high winds.

“Two fire engines and a technical rescue team attended, and the premises had been evacuated prior to arrival.

“Crews secured the property and cleared debris, before handling duty of care to the shop owner. There were no reported injuries.

“Local authority highways and building control also attended.”

CGS has now reopened after repairs to the store took place on Tuesday morning.

The Met Office had warned on Monday that winds of up to 55mph could hit the county.