A battle to stop a legal highs shop from opening in Forfar is gathering force, with locals registering their outrage online.
An online petition launched on Sunday afternoon attracted around 1,500 signatories in less than 48 hours.
At the same time, the dedicated Facebook page garnered almost 600 followers and an army of locals keen to support the cause.
Local independent councillor Colin Brown said the campaign group had his full support.
He said: “I’m backing the Forfar Against Legal High Shop Opening campaign in their fight against this type of activity.
“The depth of feeling in our community is there for all to see in the numbers that have quickly rallied behind this effort.
“Around 1,500 people have signed this petition in a little more than 24 hours, and in so doing have registered their strong opposition to the very real dangers of these so-called legal highs.
“Our young people need to realise, if they are not already aware, that there can be terrible consequences from taking these substances.
“Outlets that sell these legal highs have no place in Forfar, or any other community for that matter.”
The public campaign was prompted by news that a shop selling legal highs is believed to be about to open its doors in North Street, next to a nightclub and on a main walking route for pupils of the local academy. The former potato merchant’s office is also next to a popular lunchtime food outlet.
Campaign organiser Adele Douglas Spiers was busy arranging delivery of petitions yesterday in response to a flood of requests from local shops, businesses and residents who have volunteered to go door to door to gather support.
Adele has been overwhelmed and delighted by the support.
She said: “I was expecting a wee group, but everyone just kept on adding to it and posting on the page. In less than 24-hours it was soaring. The support has been amazing. It goes to show that in a small community, we support each other.”
As well as local opposition to the sale of new psychoactive substances, there has been support and offers of help from the public and local representatives in Arbroath and Montrose, where there has been staunch resistance to such enterprises.
Montrose councillor David May, a central figure in the campaign against legal highs in Angus and across Scotland, praised the Forfar response. He said: “It is clear that these products are not safe and have led to deaths as well as real long-term health problems for so many people.”