A key Kent figure is one of the first in the UK to receive a prestigious award.

Roger de Haan was presented with one of only five Medals for Arts Philanthropy by Prince Charles.

The medal celebrates those individuals who support the arts in its widest forms and recognise the contribution of the most inspiring philanthropists throughout the UK.

Roger de Haan is famous for his family-owned firm Saga, which he sold before concentrating on the regeneration of Folkestone.

Director of the Creative Foundation, Nick Ewbank, attributed the success of the regeneration project in Folkestone to date to a combination of Roger’s personal generosity, his business acumen and the clear vision that he has driven forward in bringing about major improvements in his home town.

He said: "Roger has a strong sense of community and he has worked tirelessly to establish a model of arts-led investment in Folkestone that could work equally well in other locations across the country.”