Thanet District Council said it would have to raid other parts of its budget due to the missing cash.

The council, which owns the port of Ramsgate, said it had provided “temporary financial support to Transeuropa following discussions in March 2011 which made it clear that this support was needed to ensure the on-going future of the business.”

It added: “This temporary support was subsequently extended until an investment partner could be found.

“Although