The owner of a popular cafe is selling up and leaving the county after "finding true love" at 48.

Kerry Searles has owned Kerry’s Kitchen in Lydd since 2019 but is preparing to put the business on the market and has told her customers it will not be reopening.

She is moving 200 miles away to Gloucestershire after meeting a soldier who was temporarily based at the military training camp in Lydd.

Miss Searles first encountered the “love of her life”, Rory Molloy, when he bought lunch in her Park Street cafe.

“After meeting Rory a few times in my cafe, three weeks went by and I hadn't seen him,” she explained.

“I spoke with one of the other soldiers and asked where he had been and they informed me that he had broken his ankle in a football match at the military base.

“After I heard the news I started sending care packages of food from the cafe to him at the barracks. The rest is history!”

Miss Searles, who has no children, says she “cherished” her time in Lydd but is moving away to “make the most out of life”.

She is now engaged to Mr Molloy, who is from Gloucestershire, and will tie the knot later this year.

“I took over the site in 2019 and turned it into a community cafe," she added.

"I loved my time there but I have found true love. Life is so short and I want to make the most of it.

“The cafe is now on the market and I hope someone will carry on the Kerry's Kitchen legacy.”

Mr Molloy, 40, was in Lydd at the time for Operation Interflex - the code name for the British-led multinational military operation to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Kerry’s Kitchen will soon be on the market with Miles & Barr and the pair will be moving in the coming weeks.

Miss Searles says she is “grateful” for all the support she has received during her time in Lydd and urges people to “support the new owners”.

She added: “Lydd is a forgotten town and it is really important local people continue to support the local businesses.

“I want to thank everyone for how much they supported me over the years.

“For now I am taking some time off to go travelling with Rory and I am excited for the future.”