A couple have denied holding an illegal gathering at their yet-to-open new restaurant.

Police visited Rosemont in Majestic Parade, Folkestone, on Tuesday following reports of an "unlawful private gathering" of around 20 people.

Officers say a number of people were seen leaving the building, and a man was arrested for refusing to comply with police.

He was later issued a fine for breaching Covid-19 rules.

But Mujde and Onder Erdogan, owners of Rosemont - which is due to open later this year - say it is a mistake, and that it was just their builders who were on site.

The restaurant is still under construction after the husband and wife took it on last year.

Mr Erdogan said: "It was not a party. Rosemont has not opened yet.

"It was 6pm and it was the end of the day and our contractors were still on site.

"The police had no evidence; the people here were still in their working clothes."

Mr Erdogan says he was the one who was arrested for not providing his details but says he was unhappy with the way police behaved during the visit.

Mr and Mrs Ergogan purchased the restaurant in July last year; it was formerly occupied by long-running chinese restaurant, Hop Kweng, which shut in 2020.

Since then work has continued on site to renovate it into a Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar.

The couple plan to open it up later this year when lockdown restrictions are lifted.

A Kent police spokesman said of the incident: "At around 6.10pm on Tuesday, March 9, Kent Police received a report of an unlawful private gathering of around 20 people at a premises in Majestic Parade, Folkestone.

"Officers attended and a number of people were seen leaving the building.

"A 39-year-old man who refused to comply was arrested and later issued with a fixed penalty notice for breaching Government rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19."

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