A paranormal poltergeist that sparked interest across the globe after a video of levitating tea bags in a Whitstable shop became a viral hit has been exposed as a hoax by TV magicians.

Entertainers Barry Jones and Stuart MacLeod revealed the fake on their show The Happenings after filming an episode in Whitstable.

The duo, helped by TV presenter Amanda Byram, told viewers they intended to trick residents into believing a spirit was haunting the town through a selection of strange stunts.

A video shot at the Whitstable Nutrition Centre in the High Street showing tea bags levitating off the shelves before crashing to the ground was used as the basis for show.

Although the magicians claimed credit for the trick, they did not explain how the video was faked.

Shopkeeper Michelle Newbold said she signed a confidentiality agreement with the show's
producers and was unable to reveal the hoax.

Back in July, Ms Newbold had said she was stunned when she watched the CCTV footage.

People were filmed being tricked at the Harbour, Whitstable Castle, the Old Neptune pub and along the high street.

But Jordan Girling, who was filmed playing football with friends at Westmeads Recreation Ground said he was left disappointed when he watched the show - adding he saw straight through the ghostly tale.

He was told by the production team to act shocked when their football rolled independently, although Mr Girling claimed it was attached to string.

Mr Girling said: "I was disappointed, to be honest. I thought it was tacky and a bit cheesy. They owe to a lot to the editing team, because they made it look a lot better.

"When me and my mate saw the football we saw straight away that a piece of string was
hanging off it.

"They filmed it five or six times to get the angles they needed. We were approached to do it in the Quayside pub and thought it would be a bit of a laugh.

"I thought it might be a bit like Dynamo or Derren Brown, but it wasn't a patch on them."