Hundreds of anglers took to boats and cast their rods from the banks of Bewl Water as the country park reopened.

Owner Markerstudy Leisure has started restocking the 770-acre reservoir with 40,000 fish for the start of the year’s fishing season.

The Sevenoaks-based company has spent three months upgrading facilities before the relaunch on Monday.

As well as a refurbished adventure playground and new land train, car parking charges have also been reduced from £8 to £2.

Another addition to the family attraction near Lamberhurst is the lakeside Boathouse Bistro.

The sale of the reservoir was revealed last September, when West Ham United co-chairman and business partner David Sullivan sold his stake just weeks after his company’s rent demands were blamed for forcing Bewl Valley Sailing Club into administration.

Markerstudy Leisure’s chief operating office Andrew Daniells said: “We are very excited about the progress to date.”