A garden centre known for its elaborate outdoor displays is preparing for Easter with a big surprise.

Hartley Halt Garden Centre, in Leysdown, will be unveiling who the "popular big man" is at its Bank Holiday fair this weekend.

It is being hosted by Westley Purssord who is the son of the business's previous owner Dave Purssord, who served on Leysdown Parish Council before he died suddenly in 2020.

The big man is a permanent feature outside the centre but has been dressed up at different times in the past as a groom, with a top hat and tail for the Royal Wedding in 2011, a Minion, Buzz Lightyear and The Incredible Hulk.

In 2020, it was turned into an NHS worker in medical scrubs, with gloves and a mask.

Westley said: "Me and my 48-year-old brother, Gary, are keeping the family business going after my dad ran it for over 30 years.

"It's going to be a fun Easter weekend. We're known for the 'big man' display outside the garden centre.

"So, on Saturday at 1pm, we'll be unveiling who the new character is. You can even win a prize if you guess the theme of the new display.

"Until then it is a secret, a big surprise! There will be a five piece brass band on the Saturday with lots of activities and stalls for kids."

Hartley Halt Garden Centre, which is also known as Bayview Garden Centre, recently became home to the Kent Discount Depot, a low-price wholesaler selling sauces, tinned food, chocolate, cleaning and laundry products and lots more.

But this isn't the only shop visitors will be able to browse this weekend.

The 45-year-old from Leysdown continued: "We have Diamond Duo here, who sell crushed diamond homeware and personalised gifts.

"And there is also GasGone, a business which sells gas and delivers to customers free of charge."

Stalls selling crafts, nail art, games as well as a raffle and tombola will all be at the event as well as a big balloon display.

The Easter fair is running from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9, along Leysdown Road, ME12 4BB.