A tea room described by its owners as Sheppey’s best kept secret has been rated in the top 10% of businesses worldwide by a popular website.

Flynn’s Bee Farm has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor, a site where travellers can review restaurants and hotels they have visited anywhere in the world.

The company, in Elmley Road, Brambledown, has been running since 1973 and as well as producing honey, beeswax and other natural products, it has a restaurant and tea room which opened eight years ago.

It is this side of the business which has been given the excellence rating.

The certificates are given out to places which consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor users.

As well as the actual award, which is on its way in the post, it means they get a Certificate of Excellence Badge which can be used online.

Sudi Austin, who runs Flynn’s with her husband Chris, said she was so shocked when she opened the email on Wednesdaymay22 she could have passed out.

The 43-year-old said she didn’t even realise they were on TripAdvisor until she was invited to a business meeting at the House of Commons a few years ago and now she encourages visitors to review them on the site if they’ve had a nice experience.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic and so proud to think our little business is rated in the top 10% worldwide for positive feedback and that’s on the Isle of Sheppey – look how tucked away we are,” she said.

“We have been one of Sheppey’s best kept secrets for years and now we are finally getting some wider recognition.

“I would like to thank everyone that has gone on there and said nice things.

“I’d also like to thank my team – Chris, our daughter Jasmine, cook Tracy Baker, Saturday girl Lauren Buesden and my mum and dad Chris and Alma Driver who have done so much.

“It’s a team effort and it’s great for Sheppey.”

The farm was also awarded the top score of five for its hygiene rating from Swale council earlier this month.