The first consignment of luxury floating lodges is due to be delivered to a waterside leisure venue next month.

And bookings are already proving popular even before they have arrived at St Andrew's Lakes in Halling near Strood.

Bosses put the popularity of the fully-equipped pods, beside what is known locally as the Blue Lake, down to the rise in stay-cations after Covid.

With many sun-seekers unable to jet off to sunnier climes abroad during lockdown, they decided to holiday in this country.

The multi-million pound centre, hailed by promoters "as the ultimate holiday retreat", hope its man-made beach, clear clean water, pedaloes and spa salon fits the bill.

And apart from being within easy reach, it could also cost you a fraction of a vacation on the Costas.

As marketing man Hobbie Stuart summed it up: "On a nice day you could be in the Med, except it's less than an hour away from London and you don't have the anxiety of getting to an airport.

"And now that lockdown is over, we seem to be an attractive alternative for many.

"Even people who come here for a day go away saying they feel like they have been on holiday.

"We've already taken 25 bookings – and they have not even arrived yet."

The chalets, which come with all mod cons, including wifi, flat-screen television, fully-kitted kitchen and a hot tub are currently being manufactured at a factory in Belfast.

They are due to be shipped over from early March with the first guests welcomed at the end of April/early May.

Currently available is The Waterside, which has one bedroom and can sleep up to four people at £600 a week. Also The Lakeside which has two bedrooms, sleeps six for £675 a week. Prices change, according to season and there's a minimum of three days' stay.

By the end of July there will be six lodges on the 122-acre site and there will eventually be 12 floating and 20 land-based homes on offer for family breaks.

There's a raft of activities available, including kayaking, diving, paddle-boarding, canoeing, open water swimming and sailing.

For younger visitors there's an aqua park and daycare scheme with activities for 10 to 16 year-olds.

For more details, visit the venue's website.

The popular sand beach is to expand this year with more loungers, and a zipwire across the 70-acre lake is coming next year.