A seaside town has become the first in the UK to install self-service kiosk which allows people to hire kayaks or paddleboards any time of the day or night.

The KayakoMat is now open in Dover and, in doing so, joins eight other countries offering the service.

It comes as part of the on-going regeneration of the Dover waterfront, overseen by the Port of Dover and the local council, which aims to deliver the full potential of the port and surrounding land by 2050.

By booking in advance online, users will then receive a code allowing them to unlock a paddleboard or kayak, along with an oar and lifejacket.

The cost to hire a stand-up paddle board for an hour starts from £14. Two-hour kayak hires start at £29.

Diederik Smet, placemaking, events and partnerships manager at the Port of Dover, explained: “We aim to increase water sports opportunities for the community as part of our journey to 2050.

“We are working in partnership with many organisations to provide world class facilities and empower people to use Kent’s beautiful coast to stay active, relax and unwind.”