A church group's hopes of moving to a new home have been dashed after its previous meeting place was put up for sale.

The Ashford branch of The Redeemed Christian Church of God had been based in Apsley House in Western Avenue until planning permission was granted last year for it to be converted into a residential property.

Church leaders applied to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to move to a unit on the Bridge Road Business Centre, but the application was refused by the authority last week.

The church's pastor said: "It's a big problem for us. We're definitely not happy because we've been thrown out without any provisions being put in place for us beforehand.

"Why should they give out a change of use for a residential development at Apsley House but not for us? We've been looking for a new place for a year, but we can't find anywhere.

"I don't know why they refused our application as we found a place with adequate parking, which is the main criteria for a change of use to a place of worship."

The refusal by Ashford Borough Council was due to the loss of employment floorspace caused by the move, with the church unable to ensure there would be an adequate surplus to replace the industrial property's loss.

Planning officers said the move contradicted the emerging Ashford Local Plan from 2017.

The pastor added: "It is a major concern, they should make provisions for a church, and any other religion that wants to move here will have issues finding a place to set up.

"There are so many shops that have been empty for years and no one is buying them. If there's provision for new houses there should be provision provisions for a church, because people are coming into the town with many different faiths.

"We aren't just a church - we provide counselling and keep people occupied so they don't get into drugs or what have you, but now they don't have anywhere to go."

The five-million-member Redeemed Christian Church of God - which was originally founded in Nigeria in 1952 - has seen its Ashford congregation decrease dramatically to 80 members following the move away from Apsley House.

It is meeting at the Ashford International hotel while its search for a new home continues.

Apsley House is set to be turned into seven flats after planning permission to convert the site was approved last year.

The site - which was built in 1841 and originally served as St Mary's School - is being advertised on Rightmove for £660,000.

In 1904, the mixed educational facility catered for more than 550 students and infants, and housed an on-site headmaster's lodge.

The Bridge Road Business Centre unit was recently used by Ashbridge Domestic Appliances, a domestic appliance supplier and repairer.

Do you know anywhere Redeemed Christian Church of God could meet? Contact the church's pastor on 07828 580347.