Old Wine Vaults landlord David Thompson is now sole director of the Faversham Hop Festival after five board members resigned under pressure from share holders at a special meeting on Thursday night.

It follows a decision by Swale Borough Council to put the running of the annual event out to tender because it was not satisfied with the way it was operated last year.

Mr Thompson is now planning to work with a professional events co-ordinator to put in a bid to run the event this year.

More than 30 shareholders attended the extraordinary general meeting and all six members, including Mr Thompson, resigned. But he was unanimously re-elected with a brief to produce a tender in tandem with a professional events manager by Friday, Jan 31.

Mr Thompson, who has been landlord of the Old Wine Vaults in the town for five years, was elected to the board in November.

The council tender brief is for a not-for-profit event which Mr Thompson believes will not be attractive to other potential operators. The new operator is expected to be announced on February 17.

Last year the festival, which cost £40,000 to put on, attracted 45.000 visitors.

Mr Thompson said:"We are fit for purpose and I believe that with the support and technical expertise of a professional events co-ordinator, this year's hop festival will be a success.

"We are a not-for-profit company so any extra revenues we make will go to local good causes like children's and youth organisations.

"This event is run by the people of Faversham for the good of Faversham and this should continue."