It's no secret that more and more Londoners are eyeing up properties in Kent. But new research reveals that in one district, people from the city bought half of all second homes sold there in the past year.

What do people living in Folkestone and Hythe think about this influx from the capital? Reporter Ollie Leonard spoke to residents and traders to find out...

"I would sooner have an Airbnb next door, than a family with noisy children."

Norman and Carole Garrud's opinions on the number of holiday homes in their street might not be what you were expecting.

The married couple have lived in South Road, Hythe, for the past two years.

The street is one of the district's second-home hotspots and they live right next door to an Airbnb - but they're not complaining.

"It's filled for more than 30 weeks of the year and to be honest it has been a positive for us," said Mr Garrud.

"As we live in a terraced house, it is quite nice that we don't have to deal with noisy neighbours all through the year."

Mrs Garrud thinks the number of Airbnbs will increase property prices in the street - which she welcomes - and says holidaymakers are a boost for local businesses.

"From a financial perspective for us personally it puts us in quite a good position," she said. "I am aware that this will be driving house prices up, so when we pass on it will benefit our children.

"Another thing is parking along this road can sometimes be a nightmare. Had these properties been full for the entire year that would make it even more difficult for us.

"If I ran a pub or a restaurant I think I would be happy with the Airbnbs, as the holidaymakers are much more likely to use them."

Folkestone and Hythe is now the third most popular location in the whole UK for Londoners snapping up second homes, according to new research.

Hamptons Estate Agents say over the past year, half of the 85 second homes purchased in the district were bought by people from the capital.

Only Brighton, on 58%, and Arun in West Sussex, on 57%, had a higher rate.

There are concerns that the more Airbnbs a district has, the harder it is to rent as availability shrinks and prices rise.

But the people we spoke to were keen to promote the benefits of Londoners investing on the Kent coast.

Debbie Convery, who owns Not For Humans Pet Boutique in the Old High Street in Folkestone, said: "Half of the local businesses round here are owned by Londoners!

"People coming from London are boosting the economy down here."

Ms Convery, who has owned her store for more than two years, is Folkestone born and bred.

She says her independent pet shop benefits from the custom of Londoners and holidaymakers.

"I can see the problems if these second properties are empty all of the time, but I get plenty of London visitors come into my shop," Ms Convery said.

"A lot of locals do their shopping at Sainsbury's, Tesco and Pets At Home. Holidaymakers provide a lot of business for me."

Alison Blackburn, who works in Folkestone Wholefoods, also on the Old High Street, says she would love to live in the town - but can't afford to.

"I am a homeowner myself and I have wanted to move to Folkestone for some time now," she said.

"Even five years ago it was a struggle and I had to move to Dover instead, but now it is even harder. It's annoying - I really want to live in Folkestone!"

Estate agents have previously commented on how the Covid lockdowns - and the increase in working from home - saw demand for homes in Kent soar. House prices were pushed up by £56,000 during the pandemic.

There has undoubtedly been an influx of "Down from Londoners" (DfLs) who have fallen in love with the county - particularly along the coast.

Folkestone has proven particularly popular - with the town's Instagrammable harbour arm attracting two million visitors last year alone.

"DfL" Rosie Percy recently described on KentOnline how moving to the town from south London was "the best thing I ever did".

The article was shared on Facebook in the Folkestone Residents Group with several comments simply saying "ditto" - highlighting how many people have had similar experiences.

But what has it done to house prices? According to Rightmove, the average in Folkestone is now £310,000, with the average sold price over the past year up 10% on the town's 2020 peak.

In Hythe it is now £460,000, with the average sold price 25% higher than in 2020.

Meanwhile, the data from Hamptons reveals that one in 20 properties bought in the district over the past 12 months were purchased as second homes. One in 40 were snapped up by Londoners, spending an average of £415,940.

Among those worried about this trend is Connor McConville, leader of the Labour group on Folkestone and Hythe District Council.

"I think it is very concerning that such a high number of properties in the district are second homes," he said.

"With house prices both to buy and rent at a level many can't afford, this reduction in supply will only exacerbate this.

"I do acknowledge there is a benefit to having some holiday let provision within the district as we have lost some of our more traditional hotel space.

"However, there has to be a balance. Second homes sitting empty do not benefit business as much as a house that is occupied all year round."

Cllr McConville was able to pinpoint the holiday-home hotspots across the district.

The highest number of Airbnbs was in Dungeness Road in Lydd, which clocked in with 11.

This is followed by South Road in Hythe and Trinity Crescent in Folkestone, which both contain four.

Last year, Cllr McConville expressed his furstration that holiday let owners were able to avoid paying council tax.

He proposed that the Conservative-run council should explore ways of making sure that owners of short-term lets in the district pay their way.

"If we aren't careful Folkestone and Hythe could reach a critical amount of second homes in the district," he added.

"We are not at that stage yet, but it will get there.

"To stop Folkestone going the way of some other seaside towns in the UK, there needs to ultimately be national legislation changes.

"Locally we need to ensure that we enforce the powers that national government currently allow us."