A lavish shop's launch party in a town centre had a surprise celebrity guest turn up.

Lady Colin Campbell came to Strode & Co, a shop with quirky and original items for the home, in Bouverie Road West in Folkestone on Friday night.

Owner Strode Wagner, an American designer, welcomed his guest into the shop which was an invite-only event.

Lady Campbell, 67, is a famous writer and TV and radio personality, with her most recent and popular showing being in the ITV I'm a Celebrity jungle in December 2015.

She had driven her Audi estate in the Friday night rush hour traffic from Kennington in London in a journey spanning three hours to make it to Mr Wagner's event.

The pair have good friends in common, including designer Shakeel Rebbany who has apparently had influences in the star's home decor.

But in between posing for selfies with fans, she sipped her preferred tipple of vodka and cranberry juice.

She said: "Strode and I have got good friends in common and he invited me to see the shop.

"Everything I have seen so far I have loved, it is my sort of taste and I like things with a twist, everything is different.

"I am here to lend my support."

It is understood that a party of guests, including Lady Campbell, had a table reservation at Rocksalt restaurant in Folkestone harbour this evening and intends to stay in the town overnight.

She described Folkestone as a romantic and pretty place to be.