Additional reporting by Alex Jee

Residents in Folkestone have taken to the streets to protest against the closure of the town's library.

Dozens of campaigners have set up a demonstration outside the 135-year-old building.

The Grade-II-listed site was initially shut in December due to flood damage.

But this week, it was announced the facility is unlikely to ever reopen due to the scale of the repairs needed.

Kent County Council (KCC) deputy leader Cllr Peter Oakford (Con) says the council is unable to commit the £1.8 million budget required to carry out the work.

"The amount of work is more significant than KCC had anticipated and KCC has to be realistic that in the current challenging financial climate, any spend has to be prioritised," he added.

"It cannot at present fund the level of work needed at Folkestone Library."

The news has been met with fury in the town, and crowds of people could be heard chanting "'save our library, shame on KCC" on Grace Hill this morning.

Resident Emily Ghassempour said: "50% of children in the ward where the library is situated live in poverty.

"It's one of the last warm, free spaces available in the town. It's an utter disgrace."

Cllr Connor McConville, leader of the Labour group on Folkestone and Hythe District Council, hit out at the decision being made "without any meaningful consultation".

"It would be nice to see KCC officers offer the people of Folkestone their explanations in a public forum, open to questioning, rather than in press releases," he added.

"KCC should be engaging with partners to try and find an immediate alternative site within the town centre to offer library services, rather than continuing to expect local residents to travel to other parts of the district.

"This is yet another example of why the two-tier system does not work.

"Local services should be delivered locally, people's taxes should be invested in the places they live."