Janet Wilson's 'gnome house' in Sandgate near Folkestone attracts big crowds

A quirky 'gnome house' in Kent has become an unlikely tourist attraction with thousands making a special trip to see the collection.

Hundreds of families are now stopping by Janet Wilson's home in Sandgate near Folkestone to see the cheeky characters, who have also gained an online fan base.

Janet, 60, and her daughters Karina, 18 and Adel, 22 bought their first garden friend three months ago as a joke but the collection has now grown to more than 40.

The happy-looking ornaments sit on a glass balcony at their seafront home, which has now been dubbed the 'gnome house'.

The small figures are fast becoming popular with tourists, visitors and residents who visit daily by bike, bus, car and on foot, with Janet estimating more than 3,000 people have now photographed the collection.

Janet has also had people knocking on her door to tell her the cute statues made their day.

She said: "People know us as the gnome house. We get so many tourists it's gotten to the point where we go out on the balcony and just wave in the photographs.

"Everyone just laughs when they see them. I haven’t ever known anything make people smile so much.

"They just bring so much happiness.”

Among the collection is a fairy gnome, a scuba diving gnome, an Elvis gnome and a sunbathing gnome.

The family are also launching a ‘forever gnome home’ for old, unloved gnomes searching for a seaside retreat to retire to. Janet also has plans for a big Christmas display.

To follow Janet and her gnomes, visit @gnomebalcony on Instagram and ‘Gnome Balcony’ on Facebook.