KENT Tourism Alliance chief executive Sandra Matthews-Marsh has welcomed the news that the Hop Farm, one of the county’s leading attractions, has been bought by a Kent family.

The Hop Farm at Beltring, near Paddock Wood, has been sold by Brent and Fiona Pollard to Kent Attractions which is owned by the Hume-Kendall family.

Mrs Matthews-Marsh said: "It is great news that a Kent-based family has bought the Hop Farm and we are looking forward to working with Simon Hume-Kendall, chairman of Kent Attractions, who is already an investor in the Kent Tourism Alliance.

"On a personal level, we are delighted for Brent and Fiona who have successfully built up the Hop Farm since 1997 into a significant and well respected destination. They have also contributed a huge amount to the Kent tourism family."