A council has revealed plans to sell off a town's pier and pontoon to a commuter boat service.

The sale of Gravesend's Town Pier and Pontoon to Thames Clippers has been recommended to be approved in the hopes of improving river transport and economy in the borough.

In a proposal to be presented at a cabinet meeting on January 4, a report outlined the terms of selling the land would include the continued use of the pontoon by the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry service and public access to the pier.

It also intends to improve river transport by selling to an established river user and securing long-term management of the facility located off West Street, Gravesend.

The council has spent £530,360 on running the pier with the income only being £35,970 from 2016/17 to 2020/21 and running costs expected to increase over time.

The report adds the authority expects the sale to Thames Clippers will allow it to redirect funding into essential services for residents of Gravesham.

It says savings will be transferred to support its climate change strategy.

The Town Pier was bought by Gravesham council in 2000 and leased to two separate companies until 2019.

The council has since been in control of the pier and pontoon as it decided both should be managed by the same provider.

The pier is Grade–II listed and is the oldest remaining cast iron pier of its kind in the world.