A last-minute bid to save Manston airport from closure has been rejected by its owners.

The offer by US group RiverOak – which was an improvement on the £5m bid turned down earlier this month – has been turned down a day before the site is set to close.

North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale confirmed the news saying it had been rejected “on very strange grounds”.

Mrs Gloag says the offer came in too late – something Sir Roger disputes.

He said: “In employment law terms that is not true.

“Most staff at Manston would like to stay on and would be more than happy to tear up their notice and carry on working.

“It’s a spurious reason for rejecting an offer.

“She seems determined not to sell it.”

The airport - which dates back to the First World War - is set to close at 5pm tomorrow.