The woman behind the county's first cat café says she is facing the "heartbreaking decision" to close the business if new owners cannot be found.

Christeen Norfolk, who runs the popular Cosy Cafe Café in Herne Bay, announced on social media she is being forced to step down due to health issues.

She posted a message on Facebook yesterday appealing for someone to take on the High Street eatery, or face the "devastating" prospect of having to shut for good.

Today, she added an update to say she has been "overwhelmed" by the response, and is confident the café will be able to continue.

Her original post reads: "It is with a heavy heart and due to ill health that I am facing the heartbreaking decision to close the café.

"I am due to have major surgery which will mean that I am unable to continue to run the café as before.

"Most of our staff and volunteers already have full time jobs so sadly they are unable to take over for a long period of time without my input."

Christeen says she has spent the past month since her diagnosis trying to find a solution, but has not been able to come up with a plan to continue.

"I am sure that you will all know me well enough to realise that the cats will be my first priority no matter what," she said.

"If anyone thinks that running a cat café is for them, please do contact me. This is very much a full-time job. So as to avoid confusion, I am looking for someone to take over, not manage, the café.

"The café means so much to so many in Herne Bay and beyond so it would be absolutely devastating to see it closed."

Christeen says the café is still open, adding: "We will not be closing the café just yet as I would like to give someone the opportunity to take over."

The news sparked a huge reaction on Facebook, with many posting their sadness at the thought of the business closing.

One customer wrote: "It is tragic that this is happening as the café has brought so much joy to its visitors."

Another added: "Such sad news for you and the volunteers but also the whole of Herne Bay. Such a unique and lovely little cafe to have in the town."

Christeen later added that due to the level of support and interest from people wanting to take it over since she posted the message, she is now "confident that the cafe will continue to flourish under new management in the future".

She added: "Of course I will continue to help out as I could never walk away from the cats, they mean the world to me."

The quirky eatery opened in William Street in June 2018 before moving to its current High Street premises a few years later, and even hosted a wedding earlier this year.

It offers what it describes as a "therapeutic dining experience" for cat-lovers, who can enjoy a meal while spending time with the furry felines.

There are 14 cats of varying ages at the café, which were all previously living in rescue centres.

In 2020, it was feared the business could be forced to close after it racked up at least £30,000 of losses during the pandemic and Christeen worried she would have to take the cats back to the animal shelters if it was not saved.