The award-winning Margate Mad House maze at Westgate Pavilion has been cancelled.

The Thanet scare attraction was set to return this evening for four nights – promising to be scarier than ever with two new mazes.

But, at 3.30pm today, the venue was shut down by a prohibition notice.

It was issued after a group of about seven officials arrived at the building, including from Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), building control and a health and safety officer from Thanet council.

One of the reasons given on the notice for the sudden closure was the "unacceptable way the cars were parked at the top of the drive", said the pavilion's marketing manager Lee Williams.

He created the Mad House event with the help of his wife Sonia and three daughters Jemma, Charlotte and Paige, said he did not know why the prohibition notice had been served.

The 50-year-old said: "Three days ago – out of the blue – I was told I needed to do an urgent risk assessment, so I did.

"I sent it all back and today a group of about seven people turned up and shut us down.

"I don't know why. I've never had a problem in the past, ever.

"It's just ridiculous," he added, "and so embarrassing. I've cancelled the event and started giving refunds.

"It's going to disappoint a lot of people."

The attraction, which received a ScareCON award in 2017 and is now in its third year, was due to have its launch night tonight from 6pm.

The event was supposed to run until Sunday.

A spokesman from the fire service said: "Fire safety officers visited the Westgate Pavilion Scare Maze yesterday afternoon, accompanied by representatives from Thanet District Council, to carry out a fire safety audit.

"A number of concerns came to light concerning the construction of the maze and use of potentially hazardous or flammable materials. Officers were required to serve a restriction notice on the premises for the following findings:

- Inadequate means of detection and means of giving warning to safeguard relevant persons in the event of fire.

- Inadequate emergency routes and exits to safeguard relevant persons in the event of fire.

"KFRS has a statutory duty to help keep business premises safe and to ensure the safety of our communities. KFRS is also committed, where possible, to helping to keep businesses trading safely. Fire safety officers will continue to work with the responsible persons for this premises and have presented guidance and advice on what measures can be taken to have the notice removed and the business up and running again."