A centre that gives support to the elderly is being forced to close, according to the charity that runs it.

The Age UK branch in Folkestone announced it would be shutting the Audrey Fletcher Centre in Shaftesbury Avenue, by the end of July.

Chairman Bill Flavell said the current premises is no longer fit for purpose.

Mr Flavell said: "In order for Age UK Folkestone to move forward in delivering effective and efficient services for older people in Folkestone, the current premises are no longer fit forpurpose and it would be an uneconomical and inappropriate use of public money to bring them up to a suitable standard."

Vincent Godfrey, strategic commissioner at Kent County Council, said: "We have worked closely with Age UK across the county about the move next year from historical grant funding to directly commissioning services, using the same level of funding.

"This is to ensure they are equitable and respond to the changing needs and aspirations of older people.

"Age UK Folkestone have previously discussed with the council their desire to close this service.

"The council is working closely with them on how they will implement their decision.”

Mr Flavell said the decision was also made because of the charity’s “ongoing financial circumstances”.

He added: “This closure will allow for the opportunity for Age UK Folkestone to explore new venues in order to continue to provide support and a wider range of services appropriate to our increasing ageing population.”

The premises was officially named as the Audrey Fletcher Centre in October 2012 when her granddaughters Hannah and Catherine Medlicott unveiled the plaque on site.

She was chairman of the group for many years until the early 2000s, and went into retirement as an honorary trustee.

“Our clients are our priority during the closure of the Audrey Fletcher Centre,” he said.

“The transition to new premises we are committed to ensuring these changes are handled as sympathetically as possible to minimise disruption in their lives.”

“We had to make the decision based on our ongoing financial circumstances, coupled with the changing needs of our older community in Folkestone.”

The charity is working with its partners to make sure that day care, hot meals, activities and a meal delivery service continues.

The clients will be spoken to individually about the changes.