A new pub and hotel has announced it will be opening this summer.

The Wishful Thinker in Heath Road, Lenham, is opening at the former site of the White Horse on June 4.

The Elite Pub chain will this time have an additional 18-room hotel on its site.

A launch party is being held on the opening day between 1pm and 11pm, with the bar and restaurant not in use until the follow day.

A spokesman for the pub said: ”After over a year of hard work and our largest project to date, we’re almost ready to welcome you to The Wishful Thinker.

“You can look forward to extravagant live events, delectable seasonal menus, cocktails to die for, exquisite bedrooms designed with you in mind and a whole lot more.”

The pub, which has parts of its building dating back to as far as 1778, will become to chain’s largest and include a large dining room, indoor bar terrace and a stage.

Founded in 2003, Elite Pubs has 14 venues across Kent and East Sussex, including Junipers in Maidstone High Street and the Dirty Habit in Hollingbourne, which was ravaged by a fire last year.

The chain specialises in a menu of locally-sourced food and drink.