One of Sheppey’s busiest holiday parks has a new owner.

Maureen Wharton has sold her 17-acre Central Beach caravan site in Grove Avenue, Leysdown, to Cosgrove Leisure Parks UK.

Cosgrove also runs Sheerness Holiday Park at Halfway.

It is not known how much the deal is worth but it is understood to run to millions.

Director Paddy Cosgrove promised: “We will invest time and effort to transform Central Beach while retaining the strong family values Maureen has established in her 40 years of ownership.

“Central Beach will, as with Sheerness Holiday Park, raise the standards of holiday parks on the Island to the benefit of all.”

Mrs Wharton, who is retiring, said: “It was a very difficult decision to sell but it was gratifying to deal with Cosgrove Leisure.

“It is a safe pair of hands with the same high standards and values.”

Central Beach has 156 pitches and its own private beach. Sheerness Holiday Park has 420 mobile homes over 33 acres.

Cosgrove Leisure is a family-run firm with three generations from Paddy Cosgrove to his son, Patrick, and grandson Paddy Junior. It is also redeveloping a park for lodges in Chertsey, Surrey, on the banks of the Thames.

Operations manager Andy Johnstone said: “Since we took over Sheerness in July 2013, we have made a huge investment in the clubhouse and security, and will be refurbishing the pool this winter.

“We have had a question-and-answer session with the caravan owners at Central Beach and hope we have answered all their queries.

“We are hoping to invest more on Sheppey and are interested in talking to owners of any other holiday parks on the Island.”