A mum looking for more places for parents to take children with special educational needs has opened a new facility in Tenterden.

Beth Whatman has launched Rockits - a space-themed sensory room in the town centre which hosts sessions for babies and toddlers while offering a place for parents to meet.

It has filled the empty unit previously used by the Tenterden and District Day Centre charity shop in East Cross.

The 32-year-old opened the room as an extension to her Rockits music sensory classes which she started four years ago when her first son was born.

She started with just 10 babies in the group but classes became so popular she began looking for a more permanent space.

"When I had my little boy, I was surprised there was not much locally," Mrs Whatman said.

"You had to drive a bit further and it's quite lonely when you have a baby, especially in a town like Tenterden where there is not much on.

"I could see this was missing."

After getting the keys in August, Mrs Whatman spent four weeks developing the site, which now allows her to offer more classes, including those for children with special educational needs.

"There was so much I wanted to do but was restricted by just hiring spaces," she added.

"Then the room where I am now came on the market and I thought, I have got to do it.

"My aim was to have a base in Tenterden where local parents can come to as a one-stop-shop.

"Out of everything so far, the most rewarding thing has been our SEN sessions.

"We are getting people come from Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings and it has been incredible.

"I feel quite emotional when the parents come in because it has made me realise there is not enough support for families with children with additional needs.