A project to upgrade and improve facilities at a golfing venue is forging ahead, despite delays and setbacks.

The Sittingbourne Golf Centre, in Church Road, Tonge, was given permission in January to refurbish and extend its driving range.

It also includes adding new facilities to the site such as an 18-hole adventure golf course, a children’s play area and two sports pitches.

Work was meant to get underway in March but a series of delays meant the project did not get going until October.

Builders also had to down tools last month after the site was targeted by thieves.

Officers are investigating the disappearance of a Kawasaki 4X4 Mule vehicle, worth about £10,000, taken around 10.30pm on Monday, November 18.

Diesel and generators were also stolen.

'It’s definitely impacted the day-to-day running of the site' - Peter Appleyard

The transporter was recovered by officers but work needs to be done on the ignition before it is restored to full working order.

Peter Appleyard, owner of Sittingbourne Golf Centre, said: “We got alerted to it at about 11pm that night.

“We’re trying to make a leisure facility for the area, something that doesn’t really exist here, and we’ve had to fund it by hook or by crook.

“The construction side of things has started now. The money we’ve lost in this is pushing about £14,000 to £15,000.

“It’s mainly the inconvenience because we use the 4X4 for running bits around the site.

“It’s definitely impacted the day-to-day running of the site and cost us some money.

“It’s just proving to be a real uphill battle every day and that was the last thing we needed because it cost us a few days where we couldn’t do any work.”

Mr Appleyard, who runs the business with wife Rachel, said contractors were unable to work for three days after the vehicle went missing.

“We’ve put a lot of stuff on the line and taken a massive risk to get the project started and things are ridiculously tight,” he added.

“We plan to finish the work in the middle of next year and have everything up and running by the end of next year.

“We’ve got children and we’re all too aware of the time kids spend on devices. This is hopefully going to be something the whole family can enjoy.”

Police are investigating the theft. Anyone with information should call 01795 419119, quoting crime reference 46/221487/19.

Read more: All the latest news from Sittingbourne