A popular manor house and gardens has delayed its re-opening by three months.

On New Year's Eve, Groombridge Place told Facebook followers it was due to reopen on January 2.

But on Sunday, a post on its Facebook page said the Grade I listed property was "closed for the remainder of the winter season".

Groombridge Place's gardens and forest, which are home to a range of animals including peacocks, wild fallow deer and a donkey-zebra hybrid known as a zedonk, had briefly closed over the Christmas period, reopening its Enchanted Forest and Formal Gardens attractions on December 27, before closing again on New Year's Day.

Following Sunday's update, the manor house, owned by award-winning TV and film producer Justin Bodle, is not expected to reopen until March 30.

No explanation for the sudden change has been given, while the closure appears to threaten the Wild Adventures Week event over the February half-term and a Mother's Day event on Sunday, March 11.

So far Groombridge Place has not responded to questions over refunds for members with annual tickets.