Residents have expressed their sadness at the sudden closure of a village's only pub.

Bosses at The County Members in Aldington Road, Lympne, near Hythe, have announced it is "closed for business with immediate effect".

Villagers have been left dismayed by the shock closure of the inn, described on its website as a "traditional and charming local pub that serves food and drink seven days a week".

A post on the venue's Facebook page on Friday said: "We regret to inform you that The County Members Pub has closed for business with immediate effect.

"We would like to take this moment to thank patrons and the community for all of their support through the years."

It added that managers would "be in touch with all our bookings as soon as possible".

One resident, writing on Facebook, said: "A very sad day for our village.

"Will miss the excellent breakfasts, and the relaxed facilities provided. Good luck to you all, and thank you so much for trying to keep it open."

Another added: "Very sad news. I have so many good (and messy) memories, and The County Members is definitely partly responsible for making me who I am today."

The highly-rated pub, located near Lympne Primary School, had a rating of 4 on Tripadvisor and a score of 4.4 on Facebook reviews.

But some argued that residents didn't visit the pub enough.

"Unfortunately that's what happens when the majority of a village of over 2,000 people don't use it on a regular basis, " said one Facebook user.

Another added: "If you don't use it then you lose it!".

The County Members joins a growing list of pubs and businesses being closed or put up for sale.

Near Ashford, The Chequers Inn has been put on the market for £1 million.

As well as this, The Globe Inn in Hythe permanently closed earlier this year.

The nearest drinking establishment for Lympne residents is now the Unit 1 microbar in West Hythe.