A family-run café has finally closed its doors after fighting to stay at a country park.

The Leybourne Lakes Café, near Snodland, held its last day of trading at the weekend, after it was announced that they would have to leave due to a rival business taking over.

In October last year, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) approved plans for a new lakeside café and watersports facility to be built.

Leybourne Lakes is now operated by the Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust (TMActive) on behalf of the local authority and the council has not granted an additional lease for both cafés to operate.

The owners of the café, which has been based there for six years, had been in a long-running fight for nine months with TMBC, after launching two petitions in a desperate attempt to keep trading.

They also gained support from Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch in April, who encouraged them to start a second petition, asking for permission to continue operating there.

Despite receiving thousands of signatures, owner Angela Williams announced on Saturday the following day would be their last at the lakes, and added: "We are thankful for all your support we will miss you all".

TMActive's new Cafe and Water Sports Centre has cost £880,000 to build and is located on the north-west corner of the park’s Lake Ocean.

It will provide indoor and outdoor seating where visitors can enjoy food, refreshments and views, along with toilet facilities and watersports changing rooms.

The plans show a range of features to protect the environment - including solar panels, high levels of insulation and a water source heat pump to warm the building.

Photos posted on Leybourne Lakes' Facebook page in May showed the progress of the single-storey structure. It is planning on opening to the public this summer.

TMBC leader Matt Boughton commented: “On becoming leader last July, I inherited a difficult situation as the four year contract signed by the operator expired in March 2021.

"TMBC had also unanimously agreed to transfer the management of Leybourne Lakes to TMActive last year, which means we cannot grant a lease within an area already leased to the Leisure Trust.

“I met with the operator at Leybourne Lakes and discussed options, resulting in a commitment from cabinet to offer future opportunities in Tonbridge and Malling when they become available.

"This remains our commitment to the operator.”

In a message to their Facebook followers, the Leybourne Lakes Café said: "We are truly overwhelmed with the cards, flowers, chocolates and bottles of champagne.

"We have made some fantastic friends at the lakes you all will be sadly missed.

"There been a few tears, but we will let you all know were we will start a new business, as we are ready for a new chapter in are lives."

Angela added: "People came on both Saturday and Sunday to say goodbye. We will miss them all and have made such a community hub."

It has not been confirmed yet where the café will relocate to.