THE co-director of the Abbey Hotel at Minster, near Sheerness, has died suddenly while away on business.

Michael Rose, 55, was found dead in a hotel room near Gatwick in West Sussex. An inquest into his death was been opened and adjourned at Reigate in Surrey.

Police in Surrey say they are not treating his death as suspicious.

Mr Rose moved to Sheppey in April to take over the Abbey Hotel in the Broadway with his wife Lynda, and son Brendan. His family and staff at the hotel are said to be devastated by his death.