A barber from West Malling has kept his promise to ignore government guidelines and open on the first day of the second lockdown.

Met Warwick, 39, first took to Facebook on Monday proclaiming that he 'does not agree' with lockdown measures and would be opening King's Hill Barbers, in Churchill Square, regardless of the rules .

Even after a visit from a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) on Tuesday who warned that he is likely to receive a fine for opening, the barber said he would not change his plans and close.

On the barber's Facebook page last night a post stated: "We are fully booked tomorrow but we have 2 barbers in on Friday & Saturday & 1 on Sunday."

Customers were seen arriving and leaving, but none wanted to speak to our reporter at the scene.

Doubling down on his promise to remain open, Mr Warwick said: "I'll only close if I'm very ill or dead."

When asked if he felt he was breaking the law, the barber replied: "What law? There's no law. They just call it rules and regulations. The government has been brainwashing people with all of this."

Speaking in between customers, he said: "It's been quite a busy morning and we’ve had bookings since 8am which have all gone well. I’ll have a break and then come back to do some more appointments later and then finish early for the day.

"I’ve not had any trouble from the police yet but don’t expect for anything to happen until tomorrow, but I’ll be recording everything and putting it online for my own safety and record."

The original video of Mr Warwick announcing his decision to defy the rules garnered more than 1,000 comments and 947 shares.

Many of the people commenting were supportive of Mr Warwick's stand against the rules.

Emma Louise wrote: "Good on you!!! Hope others will follow. We all have mouths to feed!!"

Mick Rapley posted: "Fair play. I support your decision 100%. I hope many more small businesses do the same."

But not everybody was happy about the barber's defiant move.

Paula Allbury wrote: "What part of non-essential businesses are you not getting exactly! It clearly states on the news that hairdressers, barbers, beauticians and all other non-essential businesses have got to close from Thursday they cannot be more clear about this!

"They have even named hairdressers and barbers as businesses that need to shut!!

"The fact you’ve gone public about it on Facebook is laughable really! Enjoy your fine it’s the very least you deserve."

The owner of a salon a short walk from Met Warwick's premises has also hit out against his decision to flout the rules.

Lea Walters, owner of Stone Hairdressing in West Malling and Canterbury , said: "It's not fair on all the businesses that are following the regulations and doing the right thing.

"We're doing the right thing for the safety of the community and everyone and it's just really sad that some people feel they can break the rules and do their own thing."

In his original Facebook Live post, the barber said: "I do not agree or consent with my business being asked to be locked down.

"I decline the request, quite frankly."

Kent Police have been asked if customers attending Mr Warwick's appointments are likely to receive fines for ignoring lockdown rules.

Read more: All the latest news from West Malling