An award-winning Halloween scare attraction is closing after 21 terrifying years.

Organisers of Broadwitch HauntFest, at Broadditch Farm, Southfleet, have had to make the tough call as they cannot afford to bring the events back to their best after being shut for two seasons due to the pandemic.

Actors promoting previous HauntFests at the farm

The annual event drew hundreds of fans who wanted to be scared by the sights and sounds of Halloween horror, with actors transformed by skilled make-up artists adding to the experience.

Different sections of the farm had different themes, but regulars included walks around a maze which was home to terrifying clowns, a tractor ride to a village of horror and the chance to walk around a spooky castle.

It took the team behind it months of work to bring together.

Co-owner and farmer John Harris said:"We have suffered through Covid. There is also still no guarantee that we would be open by October.

"As a team, we looked at if we could still put it on but ultimately we came to the decision to close.

"Your heart can so easily rule your head but in the cold light of day I could not see a way forward at the moment.

"We have had a good run and thoroughly enjoyed doing it and it has been a very tough decision."

The hauntfest hasn't run for the past two years due to tight social-distancing restrictions, meaning the attractions and mazes have been sat outside untouched.

For the farm to re-open them, John explained they would need to borrow and invest a huge sum of money to get the haunts back up to standard – something they cannot viably afford to do.

John added:"Everyone is unbelievably devastated. It has not been an easy decision at all. It is the head having to rule the heart.

"It was a very small event when we started. There was a couple of tea lights in pumpkins and a spooky walk.

"Then we had a spooky castle which was our first attraction which was still going. It was like our baby.

"It is nice to have all the memories and never say never, we might be able to dip our toe in again."

The hauntfest continued growing to include five different terrifying attractions and mazes all equipped with spooky actors and live entertainment in the evenings.

The farm will still be running its pumpkin picking and spooky woodland trailer ride for the younger visitors.

On a social media post, the organisers added: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their amazing support, we know that many of you will be disappointed and saddened by the closure, as are we.

"Finally, we would like to say a big thank you to our incredible staff, actors and everyone else involved, who have made it possible to run the Hauntfest for so many years."

The sixth generation family farm in New Barn Road, Gravesend has confirmed it will still be running its other seasonal events including their half-term Easter celebrations this April.

The farm shop is also operating as usual.