Work started last week on the demolition of a former pub to make way for a crazy golf course and catering units.

The Seahorse in The Promenade, Leysdown, closed last October and, in August this year, Swale Borough Council approved plans to transform the site.

An asphalt surface will be put down for the golf course and there will also be an open seating area.

All the units are portable and they will be removed and stored during the winter period.

The opening hours for the crazy golf will be 10am to dusk and from 10am to 9pm for the three catering units.

It is expected the site will create at least eight jobs once it is open.

Leysdown parish councillor David Purssord said he had fond memories of the Seahorse and said it was a shame to see another pub disappear.

He said: “It’s a very old pub and pubs are disappearing. There are not many in Leysdown now.

“I can remember in the 1960s when I came down here from London, we would go around all the different pubs and The Seahorse was one.

“It was a little old pub stuck in a corner but people loved it. It was unique.

“You would go in there and it was full of smoke but there would be no trouble in those days. It’s a little bit sad [to see it go].”

Borough councillor for Leysdown and Warden, Pat Sandle, agreed it was a shame to see another pub go, but welcomed the arrival of a new attraction.

She said: “The pub had got run down so this will bring that corner up.

“I’m pleased it’s going to be something different and it’s nice to have something new and positive to help bring trade up and encourage tourism.”