LEEDS Castle boss Paul Sabin has quit in a management shakeup at the historic attraction.

The former chief executive of Kent County Council, believed to be on a salary of more than £100,000, left in a surprise move after a downturn in tourism, especially from the United States.

Mr Sabin, who before coming to Kent was chief executive of Birmingham council, was appointed chief executive in 1998.

He has widened the number of events and activities at the castle while maintaining others such as the successful summer concerts.

But an industry source said that the castle's finances were not as strong as they should be.

"It's just lost direction," the source said.

Terrorist outrages on 9/11, coupled with the Iraq conflict, Foot and Mouth Disease and SARS, have all damaged overseas tourism. Americans in particular, previously frequent visitors to Leeds Castle, have stayed at home.

The downturn prompted a comprehensive review of the castle's "activities and prospects”.

A castle spokeswoman said the attraction's trading position was profitable. Domestic tourism had held up well. "It's been a wonderful summer and we have hit the target of welcoming over 400,000 day visitors."

She admitted that costs had risen faster than income.

"In common with every other tourist attraction, it's faced continuing difficulties over the past three years," she said.

These had continued to have a "depressing impact" on the numbers of American visitors coming to Britain.

"Taken in combination with rising costs, these have a cumulative effect. In recent times, our costs have increased faster than our revenue."

In a brief statement, trustees of the Leeds Castle Foundation said Mr Sabin had "served with distinction”.

It added: "He is now resigning to facilitate a reorganisation of senior management staff following a recent review of the Foundation's activities and prospects.

"The Trustees would like to express their appreciation of Mr Sabin's services to Leeds Castle, particularly during the difficult period for the tourist and leisure business since 2001."

The Trustees are now looking for a new managing director, usually regarded as a notch below chief executive, to take over the reins at one of the country's best-known visitor destinations which earlier this year welcomed its millionth visitor.