The Age Concern centre in Vulcan Close, Whitstable has been forced to close its doors this week because of the snow and freezing temperatures.

More than 20 schools across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and Faversham closed their doors on Thursday after overnight snow and freezing temperatures.

The Met Office forecasts more snow showers on Thursday afternoon and into the evening, with temperatures only just getting above freezing.

Overnight temperatures could plunge as low as -7C.

The Age Concern centre in Whitstable has also been closed this week as staff say it is too risky to get their buses out in the snow and ice.

Chief officer Roger Olive took the decision with reluctance, but had to put the safety of elderly users first.

Mr Olive said he would be out early on Thursday to check conditions, but if they have not improved significantly, he will not open the doors.

He added: “The problem is that the side roads where many of our clients live haven’t been gritted and it is too hazardous to send our vehicles down them.

“Even if we risked it, there is still the problem of our clients crossing the pavements, which are very icy too. Some of them are wheelchair users, which makes it even more difficult."

The centre caters for around 175 people a week, but Mr Olive said they had all been contacted about the situation.

He said: “We have also been working with social services to make sure they do not miss out on a hot meal by not being able to come in. But I’ll be up early on Thursday to check the conditions before I make a decision, although it doesn’t look hopeful if we get more snow as forecast.”

The chief officer at Herne Bay Age Concern, Sue Cliffe, also took the same decision to close after discussing the situation with Mr Olive.

The centre in Hampton Pier Avenue caters for 350 people, but the officer said the icy conditions had forced them to make the same decision to close until the roads and pavements were safer.

Stagecoach bus services were also severely affected, with all routes being diverted onto main roads.

The following services are affected:

• "The Triangle" (4/4A/6/6A) - No service via Broomfield or Greenhill
• (5) - No service via South Street, Whitstable
• (7) - No service at all
• (36) - No service at all

Canterbury city services are limited owing to estate roads being impassable.

For more information on the latest disruption, call 0871 200 22 33.