Water damage has forced the sudden closure of the library in Folkestone.

The decision to shut the town centre branch in Grace Hill was taken yesterday after water entered the building, making it unsafe.

Kent County Council (KCC), which is responsible for operation of library services, says the building will have to remain shut until the end of January when the situation will be reviewed.

A spokesman for KCC said: “We apologise for the impact this disruption will have but the closure is unavoidable and we must prioritise the safety of staff and customers.

"We will be signposting people to nearest alternative libraries.

"Birth and death registrations will be taking place at Hythe library while the library on Grace Hill is temporarily closed.

"We will also be looking in January to temporarily extend the opening of other libraries near to Folkestone."

'We must prioritise the safety of staff and customers...'

Other branches of the library service locally include Wood Avenue, Cheriton High Street and Sandgate High Street.

It is not the first time the library has had to closed due to flooding in recent years.

In 2019 the branch was shut after storms.