A popular family attraction which has welcomed thousands of children over the past 20 years will close at the end of the month.

Bosses at Monkshill Farm announced it will shut down and be sold, saying nothing more could be done to save it from closure.

Manager Stacey Mortlock confirmed that farm animals currently at the site will be sent for slaughter but that pet animals - including alpacas and ponies - will be rehomed.

Miss Mortlock said the staff's future is still "in limbo" as they wait for meetings later this week to hear what will happen with their jobs.

The closure was announced on the farm’s Facebook site - just three weeks after it was revealed its future was being threatened by a “difficult economic situation”.

The statement read: “It is with huge regret that I am having to tell all of our wonderful customers that it has been made official that Monkshill farm, including the shop and cafe, is closing at the end of this month and ultimately will be sold.

“All the staff, including the farm manager and his family, thank you all for your custom over the years and your support throughout these recent months, we cannot thank you enough!

“We are very sad to be leaving.

“Again, thank you all for the floods of support you have given us, but there's nothing more at this stage to be done.”

The farm, in Waterham just outside of Faversham, is run by the John Townsend Trust, which bought it in 1995.

It provides practical learning opportunities and vocational training for many young people on a real working farm, offering an educational hub for youngsters with disabilities.

Early last month the trust’s board of directors said the farm’s closure looked “inevitable in the prevailing financial circumstances”.

It added interested parties had already made enquiries about the site.

But news of its closure still came as a shock to families who have enjoyed the attraction.

Kylie Waters wrote: “This is such sad news. We love our visits to the farm and to the cafe.

“We have lots of lovely memories, especially of the lambs in spring. We will really miss it - and my son will really miss the cheese straws!”

Helen Campbell added: “Sad news! We've visited a few times and have always had a lovely time seeing the animals and enjoying the cafe. Thanks for giving us lots of lovely memories.”

It is not known how many staff will be affected, but the trust said last month it hoped the farm would be taken on as a going concern.