A nationwide gym chain has announced the sudden closure of one of its branches in a Kent town centre.

Tru Gym in the Broadway Shopping Centre, Maidstone, will permanently close from today.

A sign posted on the building's window states that the gym will be shut from Wednesday, May 18.

It says: "We appreciate all the support members have given, however, the club has been forced to close."

Staff were seen inside dismantling exercise equipment.

Vasuhi, a mum from Maidstone, spoke to KentOnline telling how her son joined Tru Gym to lose weight, and says he is really upset about the situation.

She explained: "My son went to the gym on Sunday, and only found out last night that it had closed.

"We are now going to have to cancel our direct debit, and I believe we pay one month in advance, so we will have to try and get that back too.

"It's just the fact that they haven't told us about it, it's horrible."

When KentOnline tried to contact the gym, the number didn't ring, but had an automated message saying that nobody is available to take the call.

However, Tru Gym still says it is open on their Facebook page.

The gym is one of eight branches in the UK, with Chatham being the only other gym in the county.

It becomes the second branch to shut in Kent, after Folkestone closed permanently in April last year.

Members were frustrated and claimed they were left out of pocket after the gym shut without warning.

Tru Gym has been contacted for a comment.