A shopkeeper has refused to stop selling golliwog dolls despite receiving complaints saying they're racist.

Antiques store Upstairs Downstairs in Faversham, Kent, stocks a selection of the black-skinned dolls, which have exaggerated lip features and frizzy hair that many consider offensive.

Golliwog dolls were designed as minstrel-men replicas and were once common in the UK until the 1970s.

Andy Wilkinson is the owner of an antiques shop in Kent that stocks controversial golliwog dolls

Faversham resident Gavin McGregor blasted the dolls, which were once a mascot for Robertson's jam until 2001, as a symbol of racism and said that the shop is an embarrassment to the town.

He said: 'Regardless of whether or not people historically had or are still feeling towards these items as toys, they are demeaning to black people.

'I hope people will agree that 'golliwogs' are remnants of a racist past which are not appropriate for display and sale.'

Local James Brown wrote online: 'Regardless of whether it's legal or not I find it astonishing that he cannot see that in this day and age it's tasteless.'

Owner of Upstairs Downstairs antiques Andy Wilkinson said he had nothing to hide, claiming that the dolls are popular with customers.

Mr Wilkinson said: 'Golliwogs are collectables, they're just part of history - It's not racism.

'I find it quite weird how everything has got to be offensive, people of my age remember having them as toys.

'I have sold lots and lots of gollis and as soon as they come in they go out again.'

Mr Wilkinson said the dolls, which can retail for as much as £100, are commonplace in antique shops.

The dolls are reportedly found at bootfairs and auctions and are 'still produced by toy makers today'.

Locals have condemned the dolls saying they're a symbol of racism and asked for them to be taken off the shelves

He said: 'We certainly wouldn't sell anything that was pornographic, or is taking the mickey out of people.

'We have got standards, we wouldn't sell anything that we found offensive at all.

The antique seller said that his business is built on reputation and that he is careful not to offend anybody.

Mr Wilkinson said that finding the dolls offensive is a question of different generations.

He said: 'The youngsters don't identify with them because they're not part of their heritage.

'A lot of black people collect them because they say it is part of their history.

'The worst thing, I think, is to try to block the past out and say it didn't happen.

'We have got to move on, it happened and people collect it.'

Faversham residents remained steadfast in the row, with many taking to the internet to voice their support of the dolls.

Harry Palms wrote: 'I still make no link to racism, but articles like this make me feel there I should turn against my memories.'

Another angry local wrote: 'These are integral part of our heritage as the golliwog is the proper name given for the Robertsons Jam Jars & this is a fact!

'It is not being racist for that was a well-known fact & anyone my age was brought up with this terminology.'