A town's 135-year-old library is unlikely to ever reopen as the county council is unable to afford flood damage repairs.

Folkestone's library was forced to close after water entered into the building, making it unsafe.

Kent County Council (KCC) made the decision to shut the doors of the Grace Hill site in December after flood water damaged the structure.

Two months later, the council said it had been forced to keep the Grade II-listed building shut "at least until the end of March".

However, deputy council leader Cllr Peter Oakford (Con) confirmed today that it is unlikely the library will reopen after the true scale of the damages was revealed.

Responding to a question from Folkestone Cllr Jackie Meade, he added: "KCC is committed to a town centre library for Folkestone but unfortunately, at the moment is not able to commit the budget required to carry out the work to the existing building – currently estimated at over £1.8million.

"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.

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

With the council set to explore "other funding options" as well as alternative locations that the library could move into, the future of the 19th-century building is now uncertain.

Cllr Oakford added: "In order to protect the library collections in a secure and safe environment, further stock will be distributed to the other district libraries, with the remainder going into storage to ensure these vital local collections are protected until they can return to Folkestone Library.

"KCC is committed to a town centre library for Folkestone however, Folkestone Library will have to remain closed until the required funding is available, or an alternative town centre venue is found.

"The council will update as soon as there are any significant developments. It recognises that this will be very disappointing news for Folkestone residents as it is to KCC."