The operators of a popular river tour have had to abandon ship following a dispute over its mooring.

Fordwich River Tours near Canterbury has been forced to close the business after negotiations with the owners of the quay sank without agreement.

It is a bitter blow to the company which had many bookings and was looking forward to a busy summer taking customers up and down the Stour on its boat, Ethelbert.

The owners announced on its Facebook page: "It is with great regret that we have to announce that it has proved impossible to reach a workable agreement - providing a safe and practical mooring at the King Street Quay - with Fordwich United Charities.

"As such, Fordwich River Tours have ceased to operate, with immediate effect.

"We would like to thank everyone that has supported us over the last five years and trust that you will carry happy memories of your time with us.

"We have certainly enjoyed the experiences and are truly sorry that we have failed to retain the support of the authorities which would allow us to continue operating."

"We got the feeling they just didn't want us there any more..."

The issue which has resulted in the closure revolved around its mooring.

One of the river tour owners, Nigel Biddlecombe, said they accepted the mooring pontoon needed repairing after a float split during the winter, leaving it partially submerged.

That had also caused debris floating down the river to get caught up in it.

Mr Biddlecombe says they were prepared to repair it but claims that trustees from the Fordwich United Charities also wanted modifications to the pontoon to make it slimmer.

"That wouldn't work for us on health and safety grounds," said Mr Biddlecombe.

"Then it was suggested we should create a new mooring along the quay wall with a different entry.

"But that wouldn't work either for security reasons and because the river is tidal and we need a certain depth of water or the boat will bottom out.

"In the end, we just couldn't reach a workable agreement with the trustees. We got the feeling they just didn't want us there any more which is a pity because we felt we had brought benefits to Fordwich.

"It's such a pity because it's really been a labour of love for us in which we only really covered our costs.

"Now we have no other option than to sell the boat."

Fordwich United Charities met on Friday night but the trustees have decided not to comment on the issue.

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