Whitemill Water and Aqua Park in Sandwich to open this month

The opening date for a long-awaited new aqua park in Kent has been revealed.

And adventures won't have to wait long.

The Whitemill Water and Aqua Park in Sandwich will officially launch this weekend.

Organisers posted on Facebook: "We've got the green light!

"Whitemills Aqua Park will be opening its doors July 9th!"

Visitors are now able to book slots for the aqua park online.

Pictures released earlier this week showed the inflatable equipment and lake from above.

When opened, the centre will have a range of activities such as open water swimming and stand up paddle boarding with special sessions such as ladies' mornings and a kids' club.

Described as a floating playground with inflatable climbing frames and slides, the centre, on the corner of Ash Road and the A256 Sandwich Bypass, will also have a lakeside restaurant.

Eventually, wakeboarding will be available - a water sport evolving from water skiing, snowboarding and surfing.

The rider stands on a wakeboard - a short board with foot bindings - and is towed by a motorboat while performing aerial manoeuvres. This element is expected to be fitted later this year.

The park will also have a five-tower ski cable system on a purpose-built lake, which can be used by beginners and the experienced.

Those using the aqua park must be able to swim at least 25 metres unaided and children aged up to 15 must be with an adult.

Construction began at the centre in January after 18 months of planning.

The project is the brainchild of Wayne Cooper from Ash and James Bird from Birchington.

Elsewhere in the district, plans have been revealed for a Wave Garden surfing experience at Betteshanger Park.

It would be similar to The Wave in Bristol, which is described as "an inland surf destination that allows people to surf on consistent safe waves all year round without going to the sea".

The site in Bristol includes a 180m surfing lagoon that can generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, ranging from 50cm to almost 2m in height.