A millionaire businessman has appeared in court and admitted growing magic mushrooms at the Kent castle where he once lived.

Simon Giles was living in a wing of the Grade II listed Lullingstone Castle at Eynsford when police visited on an unrelated matter last year and found the psychedelics.

Now the father-of three, who now lives at Rectory Place, Hawkwood Lane, Chistlehurst, has pleaded guilty to growing the Class A drugs and possessing a stun gun.

The case at Maidstone Crown Court was adjourned until July 26 when an expert's report on the strength of the mushrooms will be produced.

He admitted producing Psilocin and Psilocybin (the psychedelic element of magic mushrooms) at Lullingstone Castle between September 1 2020 and May 6 2021.

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Giles used the extensive grounds of the castle's estate to practice landing his helicopter when he was learning to fly.

King Henry VIII once hunted and jousted in the grounds of the estate which today has a vineyard, 19-acre lake, formal gardens, Tudor gatehouse and chapel and is owned by the Hart-Dyke family.

In January last year Giles faced eviction after losing a court battle against HSBC which centred on where he obtained funds to buy the property.

The businessman had asked the High Court to force HSBC to let him carry on paying a £5,665-a-month mortgage allowing him to carry on living in the building.