An entrepreneur has told of his hopes of boosting tourism on the Kent coast with a cycle hire venture mirroring the success of Boris Bikes in London.

Click2cycle Bikeshare is launching in Hythe, Sandgate and Folkestone tomorrow as part of a three-month pilot for the summer, linking hotels with bars and restaurants via two wheels.

The concept has been set up in the district by resident Marc Carney which uses a phone app to unlock and rent the bikes.

The vehicles can be taken from any of the hire stations along the five-mile route between the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway (RHDR) in Hythe and Folkestone Harbour, and returned to any stations using a GPS tracking system.

This helps secure the bikes and make sure they are distributed evenly.

Mr Carney, 52, from Hythe, said: "I think it's really exciting for the area. I don't think we have had one negative comment.

"We just thought bike hire was needed for this area and we needed it to be accessible."

The scheme will start with six hire stations, including spots at hotels, and the fleet was tested out last week with more than 50 riders.

On the RHDR, customers can take a bike, put it on the train to Dungeness or any stop along the way then alight, explore and cycle back.

The business director, having run his own electrical business for more than 20 years, only came up with the idea last October with his family.

His daughter Claudia Carney, 25, said: “We felt it was very important to forge links with local retailers and eateries.

"Many have signed up as 'attractions' to be promoted on our website so that our customers have access to a list of recommended places to stop for refreshments, or quirky places to shop.

"Many will offer a discount or 'rider rewards' to click2cycle customers.

"There is so much to see and do in this beautiful part of England."

Mr Carney, who is a keen cyclist and windsurfer, continued: "It just helps attract people to the businesses. We're bringing new people to the town and pointing them in the right direction of where to get a cup of coffee and food.

"Hopefully this gives people a bit more flexibility.

"Providing it's successful, we're looking to expand out onto the Marsh and various locations in Folkestone. We're looking to move quite quickly.

"It's there to promote tourism but it's important for local people too as it takes away the hassle. We've tried to keep it really simple and as cheap as we possibly can."

The bikes cost £6 each for the first hour, and cost £2 for every 30 minutes afterwards.

There's also the opportunity to subscribe to the scheme for £6 a month, which offers £2 for every 30 minutes all the time.

Mr Carney also hopes to eventually to introduce electric and children’s bikes for people to go further afield and explore hillier routes.

Another similar scheme was launched along the Thanet coast last year.

Members of the click2cycle team will be based at four of the stations this Saturday from 10am at the Hythe RHDR Station, the Stade Court Hotel, Enbrook Park in Sandgate and the Burlington Hotel in Folkestone to explain how the system works. Other stations are at the Clifton Hotel and Folkestone Harbour.

For more information visit their website or search @click2cycle on social media.