A charity which is a lifeline for scores of elderly people across Medway has been forced to close until further notice.

Age UK, which has two day centres and a service for dementia sufferers, took the decision on Monday following government guidelines to protect the country's most vulnerable people.

John Norley, the charity's chief executive, said: “We are acutely aware that for the people we support on a daily basis this will be devastating news, and will be the start of a frightening period of time of isolation.

"To that end, every member of our teams across the Medway Towns will be redeployed into our Homecare services in Medway and Faversham, which remain operational, our delivered meals service, which is seeing an understandable increase in demand, and into our telephone-based supported services of befriending and 'good day' calls."

Last week, Age UK continued running its day centre in Brompton Lane, Strood and its dementia hub in Hopewell Drive, Luton.

But its centre in Woodlands Road, Gillingham, closed due to dwindling numbers.

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