An illegal shisha bar was torn down in just over an hour following complaints from neighbours.

Harrow Borough Council took enforcement action against Yasmin restaurant and Shisha Bar, in High Road, Wealdstone.

The 600sq ft structure was flattened for not having planning permission for its change of use and after neighbours complained about the noise and smells coming from the site in the early hours.

Thirty shisha pipes were removed from the building, which could accommodate 40 customers a night.

Council leader Cllr Susan Hall said: "We have got to send a signal to people who think that planning rules are some kind of minor inconvenience that disappear if you ignore them for long enough.

"That isn’t fair on the silent, hard-working majority who abide by the law.

“In cases like this, we are responding to the complaints of ordinary Harrow residents who are getting fed up with illegal buildings being lashed up in gardens or at the rear of their neighbours’ properties with all the extra noise and disturbance that can result.

“They are looking to the council to take a lead on the upsurge we are witnessing of beds in sheds – or in this case fags in sheds – and that is exactly what we are doing.”