A FOLKESTONE hotel that boasted one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Kent has closed.

The 14-bedroom Sandgate Hotel was bought in 1995 by Samy Gicqueau, a former pastry sous chef at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Sasison, and his wife Zara.

Within two years, Mr Gicqueau had won a Michelin star for the 22-seat La Terrasse restaurant.

The property was put up for sale about 18 months ago, but was taken off the market again this spring.

A spokesman at the Michelin UK restaurant guide said Gicqueau had informed them the hotel and restaurant was closing down for good last month and that he and his wife were moving back to France.

It is not yet clear whether the hotel has been sold, either as a hotel or as a residence. Read's in Faversham is now Kent's only Michelin-starred restaurant.