DRUG users may soon be unable to buy legal highs in Taunton after one trader stopped selling them and another said he’ll probably follow suit.

The decision to no longer stock the substances at The Temple – formerly Wicked - in East Reach, has been widely applauded.

And the boss of Hush, in Bridge Street, said he plans to sell off his supply and change “the dynamic of the business”.

The owner of The Temple, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “I decided to stop selling legal highs largely due to the chaos up and down the street. It spoiled it for everybody.

“We don’t want to be seen fighting the community.

“We got rid of the legal highs because of the way some people behaved.”

The trader, who stocks smoking products including e-cigarettes, declined to discuss the moral issues of selling legal highs, which have led to dozens needing hospital treatment, or how much he made selling the drugs, saying it is “commercially sensitive”.

He added: “There’s been a mixed reaction from customers, with some coming back and asking, ‘Why aren’t you selling them any more?’”

Hush owner Simon Tomlin is “definitely” considering the same course of action in January or February.

Mr Tomlin, who has set up two new businesses, added: “After taking some legal advice we are going to sell off remaining stock and look to changing the dynamic of the business.

“It’s been a fantastic journey with the shops and an incredible insight into society and the vast range of opinions that people hold.

“I stand by my belief that a radical change in law and attitude towards both drugs and the users themselves must take place in order to protect people in society.

“But until this happens, it looks likely that the police and government will continue to pursue a policy of prohibition that continues to blight the lives of millions across the planet.”

Police welcomed The Temple’s move, claiming legal highs – or new psychoactive substances – have been linked to crime and anti-social behaviour around Taunton.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Muckett said: “We're obviously delighted the owner has taken the sensible and responsible view that he should no longer be selling legal highs.

“I’m indebted to my team’s hard work in combating the spread of legal highs and their impact on the community, along with our various local partners, but we remain determined to free our town of the damage caused by legal highs.”

Town centre beat manager PC Jim Breakwell said: “Legal highs have been a blight on our community for the last 12 months, so this is very welcome.

“The town centre team has been working hard behind the scenes to form relationships with the shop owners – the owner said he’s decided to stop selling legal highs as he’s aware of the negative impact it’s had on the community.”

Conservative-run Taunton Deane Council’s executive councillor for community leadership Jane Warmington praised The Temple’s “responsible step”.

She added: “This decision by the shop owner shows what can be done through building solid relationships.”

Taunton Deane’s LibDem MP Jeremy Browne, who as a Home Office Minister banned two NPSs, has campaigned against their sale in shops.

Simon Coles, leader of the Deane’s LibDem opposition, said: “We’ll do everything in our power to ensure our streets are clean of these dangerous and damaging substances.”

The LibDems and the South West Action Group collected over 1,500 signatures on a petition calling for the closure of the end to legal high sales in Taunton.

SWAG’s Caz said: “This is a tremendous result which we’ve worked so hard for.”