SAGA chief Roger De Haan has bought the port of Folkestone for an undisclosed sum.

Mr De Haan, who will step down from the over-50s company his father founded in 1951 as soon as Saga is sold, probably for around a billion pounds, has bought the company that owns and controls Folkestone Harbour from Sea Containers.

The purchase is not connected to Saga’s business in any way, and is likely to be part of Mr De Haan’s personal strategy of regenerating Folkestone.

Mr De Haan said: “The harbour is one of Folkestone’s greatest assets, and has an important part to play in the future of the town. Operations at the port will continue as usual.”