Hundreds of people turned out on a blustery day to add their voices to those campaigning to keep a historic lift open.

Shepway District Council wants to hand back its lease on the water-balance Lead Lift in Folkestone, saying its losses were making it a drain on council finances.

The lift is owned by the Radnor Estate, and while the council might consider operating it, it cannot stand the maintenance costs anymore.

According to its figures it costs £90,000 a year to run, and only brings in £30,000.

Protest organiser Lynne Beaumont said: “People really care about this, it would be difficult to value the money the lift brings into town, it will be an enormous loss.”

Caroline Chambers, of the Channel Chamber of Commerce, said: “For £40,000 the knock-on effects will be massive. It has got to bring in a couple of million to the area and it is part of our heritage.

“If the council would like us to scrutinise their budget and find the money we would be happy to.”

Shepway council spokeswoman Sarah Smith said: “The decision to end the lease of the lift was not taken lightly and was made after more than an hour of debate. Figures show it is not financially viable to operate the lift and year-on-year these costs are going to go up.

“We would question why our local council taxpayers should be expected to pay for the upkeep and repair of a deteriorating, privately-owned asset.

“However, we appreciate that some people may not agree with that decision and they have a right to make their feelings known if they wish. We would like to make it clear that our decision does not mean the end of the Leas Lift, which we do not own. It simply means that the council will not be the body responsible for its future operation and maintenance.”

For more on this story, see Thursday's Kentish Express