A budget seaside holiday park which catered for thousands of families each year is closing with immediate effect.

Pontins Holidays released a statement today telling customers it would close its Camber Sands site near the Kent border in Rye.

Explaining its Prestatyn site in Wales is also shutting, a spokesman said: “We regret to inform you that our parks in Prestatyn and Camber Sands will be closing with immediate effect.

“Customers whose bookings will be affected by these closures will be contacted by our team and refunded.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

When Pontins’ owners Britannia Hotels made the announcement it prompted mixed reactions, with some people highlighting the site’s potential.

“Many happy memories here as a kid,” Amie Hodgson explained.

“We used to go every Christmas and it was the best time. Sadly it did get really run down. If it could be brought up to its previous glory it would be an amazing place to go.”

Gill Divers added: “We used to come here in the 70s and it was a fantastic place to holiday. Many happy memories.”

Explaining he recently drove past the site, Kev Goodwin said he “had nothing but fantastic memories and laughter in the 80s at Christmas – brilliant memories.”

“Why would you start refurbishment and then just close down it’s so sad,” Elsie Craig added.

Mia Mariella said: "Is this temporary or for good?"

Tracey Bisseker added: "No explanation??"

The reason for closing has not yet been revealed.

While many have expressed their sadness of the park's demise, recent reviews on TripAdvisor - where it enjoys just a two-star rating - are far from favourable.

Lucy Vincenzo gave the site just one star, writing: "The accommodation and public areas are all absolutely filthy.

“The beds are gross and incredibly uncomfortable.

“The food in the public areas is expensive and repulsive.

"The staff are all on another planet. I don't have one single good thing to say about this dive."

Another guest, DE Johnson, was just as unimpressed, adding: "This place is an absolute disgrace. It ought to be condemned.

“We used to come here years ago for music events and swore we would never come back.

“We were told the chalets had been refurbished and that they’d changed the cleaning contractor.

“What a load of rubbish; it is worse than ever."

The camp was built in 1968 and covers 32 acres with 820 self-catering chalets.

It has a total capacity of around 3,000 guests.