The boss of a countryside cafe and restaurant says he is having “sleepless nights” after losing a crucifix necklace which belonged to his late wife.

Mike Woodcock, who has run Oad Street Food and Crafts in Borden near Sittingbourne for almost 10 years, was enjoying a family day out at St Andrews Lakes, near Strood, for one of his grandchildren’s birthdays when the treasured piece of jewellery went missing.

The grandad-of-nine has worn it every day since his wife of 34 years, Karen Woodcock, died aged 60 of oesophagus cancer in August 2019.

Karen herself had worn it every day after Mike had bought it for her 18th birthday from Battrum & Son jewellers in Sittingbourne High Street.

He spent a week’s wages on the present.

Mr Woodcock had placed it in his backpack for safety during the visit on Saturday, June 21, when he was going into the lake in Halling with some of his grandchildren.

The 65-year-old left the bag with his daughter, Rebecca Kingsnorth, and daughter-in-law, Summer Schaffner, who were staying with his younger grandchildren on the beach section.

But it was not until he came out of the water and went to the cafe that he found the necklace had gone.

He said: “In real terms, it won’t be worth much, but it is priceless in sentimental value.

“When I noticed it was missing, I searched and searched [for it] until the early evening.

“I checked my house, as my mind was playing tricks on me. I then returned the same day to try and spent another two or three hours searching.

“I went back the following morning, with the staff at St Andrews Lakes being good enough to let me back in.

“It’s incredibly special [to the family] because there isn’t a picture that Karen is in that she was not wearing it around her neck, including special occasions.

“Karen also gave it to the kids to wear during their examinations to give them faith in what they were doing.

“It is giving me sleepless nights as it is so special to me and the family. It would mean so much to get it back.”

Mr Woodcock had been at four locations at the lake during the family’s day out and believes the necklace could have been lost around these places.

These were the male changing rooms by the wetsuit area, the car park where his bag went in and out of the car, the cafe tables, and the spectator area of the aqua park.

He is urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the necklace to get in contact by emailing jcrossley@thekmgroup.co.uk