A racehorse bearing the name of the county town has become the youngest horse ever to qualify for the Grand National.

Maidstone Mixture is owned by property millionaires Fergus and Judith Wilson, from Boughton Monchelsea.

After poor performances in the Derby last year the four-year-old stallion earned himself the unfortunate tag of "worst racehorse in history," by some racing pundits.

All that will change, according to Mrs Wilson, but not just yet as Maidstone Mixture will not run in the Grand National for another three years.

The horse qualified for the race after his performance at a steeplechase at Cartmel in the north of England.

Mrs Wilson, from Boughton Monchelsea, said: "He has become, over the last few months, the most famous racehorse in Britain and one the public have taken to their hearts. He is the horse that has followed Desert Orchid in the minds of the public.

"I am very happy that Maidstone has a horse that residents can follow over the next three years. This is a very proud moment for me and I hope for everyone in Maidstone."

The stallion is not the only Maidstone connection to the Grand National. In 1935 the father of Maidstone Mayor, Peter Parvin, rode the national's second-placed horse.