A former homeless man who now devotes time to helping others in need says he has been told he will be arrested if he does not move on.

Malcolm Staines has become well known to people sleeping rough on the Isle of Sheppey and is often seen in Sheerness town centre handing out essentials like underwear and hot food vouchers.

But today, the 63-year-old said he was told that if he did not move by 2pm he would be arrested as he did not have permission to be pitched outside the former Pound Town store, opposite the clock tower. The police deny this.

WATCH: Malcolm Staines told he needs to move on or face being arrested

Mr Staines, who has sat at the spot for six months, said: “A police officer drove past earlier about 12.45pm and then he came back at 1.15pm and said I couldn’t be here as I haven’t got written permission from the council.

“He asked me what time I usually pack up and I said about 2pm. He said he was coming back then and if I was still here he was going to arrest me.

“So basically I am going to be arrested for trying to help people."

"I have notices up here, but I don’t physically stop people in the street, I don’t ask people for anything. People come and bring me things and then I hand them out to anyone who needs them.

"I just can’t believe I’ve been threatened with being arrested. I am flabbergasted by it."

The 63-year-old recently met with Minster Parish Council to talk about his experiences and question its impressions of homeless people.

He also opened members’ eyes to how easy it is to keep someone fed and warm, by showing them a kit he puts together for just £25, which includes cooking equipment, a tin opener and tarpaulin.

After Mr Staines's visit, the parish council voted unanimously to support his cause, pledging to purchase £100 in food bank vouchers and to work with him and other groups to address the issue.

Mr Staines said: "The council never said I needed permission to be sitting here."

He added he was “in two minds” whether to move on or not but in the end he decided to stay put.

“I was physically shaking after the officer left," he said. "I was just so upset and angry.

“I'm not going to move. I am only trying to help people. It’s not fair.

“Everyone has been so supportive of me over the past six months – I don’t know where this has come from.”

Mr Staines is at the spot every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from around 9.30am to 2pm.

Officers have not arrived to arrest Mr Staines.

The force has since responded to say that no such threat had been made.

A spokesman said: "At approximately 12.15pm an officer spoke with a man who was displaying signs requesting donations from members of the public in Sheerness High Street.

"The officer had a discussion with him regarding licensing, where words of advice were given.

"At no point was he threatened with arrest."