It has been confirmed the national children's charity The NSPCC is to leave the county as part of a major shake-up.

However, a precise date for its departure from its Gillingham service centre is yet to be announced.

The decision has angered a leading Medway Council Labour councillor who described the closure as leaving "a large and worrying gap in services locally for our most vulnerable young people".

Clive Johnson said: "We understand the pressure charities are under as a result of the pandemic but the services the NSPCC provides locally are vital.

"They support children in key ways to recover from trauma and the need for that work continues."

He he has written to the charity expressing his disappointment and urged it to reconsider the move.

Up to 168 jobs could be lost nationally – 12 of them at the hub in West Street, which was established in 1996.

Although no child from the county presently being helped will lose out, the charity will not be taking on future referrals.

The relocation is part of a nationwide re-organisation as bosses try to focus on how best to use resources.

The service will transfer to Camden in London, taking on much of the work being done around the capital and south east.

The Gillingham centre provides therapeutic services and other help for children from across Kent, but mainly Medway.

In 2019/20, the number of children who completed a service there was 74.

Youngsters – often victims of sexual abuse – are referred for help such as counselling and therapy by different sources but primarily council social services.

Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, assistant director of NSPCC local services for London and the south east, said: “Our mission is to prevent child abuse and we’re making changes to the way we run some of our local services to help us reach even more communities in Kent and Medway.

“Alongside Childline, which is here for all children in the county, and our helpline, which is here for adults with concerns about a child, a hub in Camden will co-ordinate all of our regional activity. This will include a named point of contact for every school in the area, our specialist direct services, campaigns, and partnerships, such as our work supporting early help practitioners to deliver our impact and evidence based programme for local children and families impacted by domestic abuse.

“This does mean face-to-face work with children from our base in Gillingham is coming to an end. A consultation has now closed and sadly a number of roles will be made redundant in the months ahead.

"We’re doing everything we can to support staff members affected, including training and suitable alternative employment where possible. Every child or family currently receiving an NSPCC service will complete an agreed programme of work.

"We understand the pressure charities are under as a result of the pandemic but the services the NSPCC provides locally are vital."

“With less early or preventative help available for families, growing online safety concerns, and the impact of the pandemic, we are extremely worried about the risks facing children. We believe we can have the greatest impact with the funding we have by trying to prevent abuse and neglect before it happens and these changes will help us achieve that aim across Kent and Medway.”

Cllr Josie Iles, the council's portfolio holder for children's services, was approached for comment.

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